A  Woman's  Life  Work 


INCLUDING  THIRTY  YEARS'  SERVICE 
ON  THE  UNDERGROUND  RAIL- 
ROAD AND  IN  THE  WAR. 


BY 


LAURA  S.  HAVILAND. 


FIFTH   EDITION. 


GRAND   RAPIDS,   MICH.  : 

S.  B.  SHAW,  PUBLISHER, 
1188  S.  DIVISION  ST. 


Copyright  Dy 

S.  WAVI  LA/MO, 
1881. 


b 


last 


DEDICATION. 


TO 


ftfoo  ISous,  anb  $ovu  ^aug^ttrs,  anb  families; 


ALSO  TO   THE 


Ifnme  anfl  l^nreign  ftfi 


ARE  THESE   PAGES   DEDICATED. 

®f)t  author. 


PREFACE  TO  THIRD  EDITION. 


"  E'en  down  to  old  age,  all  my  people  shall  prove 
My  sovereign,  eternal,  unchangeable  love ; 
And  when  hoary  hairs  shall  their  temples  adorn, 
Like  lambs  they  shall  still  in  my  bosom  be  borne." 

THE  ready  sales  of  the  two  editions  of  the  unpre- 
tending book  entitled,  "  A  Woman's  Life  Work," 
during  the  two  years  past,  induces  the  author  to  ven- 
ture a  third  edition,  with  earnest  prayer  that  the  youth 
may  be  encouraged,  the  middle-aged  strengthened,  and 
the  aged  invigorated  in  working  together  with  God, 
in  rescuing  the  perishing  by  the  perusal  of  these  sim- 
ple recitals  of  trials  and  victories,  that  have  been 
neither  few  nor  far  between. 

Yet  these  checkered  paths  are  for  all  earnest 
workers  for  God  and  humanity;  but  with  the  eye 
of  faith  we  see  the  ready  hand  that  uplifted  doubting 
Peter  when  dashing  waves  caused  that  beloved  dis- 
ciple to  cry  for  help.  Sustaining  grace  was  found 
while  standing  by  my  dying  son  Joseph  B.  Havi- 
land,  of  Traverse  City.  When  the  brittle  thread  of 
life  was  broken  I  cried  in  my  distress :  "  Oh,  Lord ! 
why,  oh,  why  must  this  dear  one  be  taken  in  the 
prime  of  life  from  his  devoted  family?  and  here  am 
I,  past  threescore  years  and  ten,  to  be  left.  But 
thou  knowest  all,  and  doest  all  things  well.  Yei  we 


PREFACE. 

mourn  not  as  those  who  have  no  hope."  A  few  days 
previous  to  his  last  illness,  in  referring  to  his  strong 
faith,  he  said :  "  For  I  know  that  if  my  earthly  house 
of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  I  have  a  building 
of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens." 

As  the  bright  morning  star  fades  at  the  rising  of 
the  glorious  orb  of  day,  so  this  brilliant  star  of  our 
moral   horizon   faded   in   the   more  glorious  light   of 
eternal   day.     While   health   and  strength  is  granted 
by  Him  who  hears  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner  in  the 
cell,  or  within  the  grasp  of  the  mighty  giant  alcohol, 
slaying  his  thousands  daily  of  the   noblest   and  best 
minds  of  our  nation,  I  can  not  hold  my  peace,  though 
bearing  the  weight  of  seventy-five  years. 

The  figures  of  our  national  bill  for  drink  are 
astounding.  The  appalling  fact  that  there  are  about 
7,000,000,  or  one  in  seven  of  all  our  people,  young 
and  old,  who  drink ;  and  that  we  spend  $100  for 
drink  for  every  dollar  we  spend  for  ministers;  when 
we  see  our  loved  ones  falling  under  the  withering 
blight  of  this  Upas  tree,  we  look  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
for  ability  and  wisdom  to  cry  aloud  and  spare  not 
until  our  day's  work  is  done  for  the  Master. 

LAURA  S.  HAVILAND. 

JANUARY,  1884. 


Preface  to  Fourth  Edition. 


The  title  by  which  Mrs.  Haviland  is  pleased  to  call 
her  narrative  is  itself  a  most  fitting  introduction,  for 
it  heralds  the  contents  of  the  coming  volume.  The 
book  is  both  stirring  and  instructive  and  presents  a 
fine  example  of  the  value  to  this  world,  of  one,  who 
realizes  what  life  is  for,  and  uses  the  means  at  hand 
to  accomplish  its  work.  This  woman  did  cheerfully 
and  with  fidelity  whatever  came  to  her  without  fear 
or  distmst,  her  aim  was  not  prominence,  but  efficiency 
in  the  Master's  cause.  She  began  life  from  the  dawn 
of  her  conversion,  with  the  fixed  resolution  that  this 
world  should  be  the  better  for  her  having  lived  in  it. 
And  like  the  widow  with  the  two  mites  her  humble 
endeavor  has  brought  into  the  gospel  treasury,  a 
wealth  of  affection  and  gratitude  that  cannot  be 
measured. 

Many  descriptions  are  thrilling,  and  cannot  fail  to 
makea  deep  religious  impression  on  those  who  are  so 
fortunate  as  to  read  them.  When  the  book  first 
came  into  my  hands  I  could  hardly  rise  until  I  had 
finished  the  last  chapter.  And  when  I  had  conclud- 
ed the  last  page  I  rose  feeling  that  I  should,  all 
through  life,  be  a  better  man. 

She  writes  not  for  self-glorification ,  but  to  magnify 
the  abounding  grace  of  God,  that  sustained  her  in 
the  midst  of  trials  and  difficulties,  that  would  have 
discouraged  any  one  of  ordinary  courage.  It  is  the 
earnest  prayer  of  the  writer  that  this  work  may  have 
a  wide  circulation  for  wherever  it  goes  it  cannot  fail 
to  be  a  blessing. 

F.  A.  HARDIN, 

FORMER  PASTOR, 
>L  E.  CHURCH,  ENGLEWOOD. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

EARLY    LIFE. 


Parentage  — Early  Impressions  —  Childhood  Skepticism  — 
Religious  Experience — The  Great  Leveler — Marriage — Removal 
to  Michigan — The  Semi-Christian — The  Despairing  Backslider 
Restored  —  Proscription — "Withdrawal  from  the  Society  of 
Friends— Founded  "  Raisin  Institute," Page  9 


CHAPTER  II. 

BER  E  A  V  EMENTS. 

Dream  —  Bereavements  —  Early  Widowhood  —  Trials  — 
Dreams — Victory  by  Faith — A  Fugitive  Slave  Escapes — Mar- 
riage of  two  Older  Children, 38 

CHAPTER  III. 

ANTI-SLAVERY    EXPERIENCES. 

Baptist  Deacon  Convicted  of  the  Sin  of  Slavery  by  his 
Slave — Willis  Hamilton's  Escape  with  his  Slave-wife,  Elsie,  to 
Canada — Removal  to  Michigan — Whereabouts  Discovered  by 
Elsie's  Master— Deeply  Laid  Scheme  to  Capture  the  Hamilton 
Family — Threats  of  Violence — Second  Attempt  and  Defeat — 
Death  of  the  two  Slave-holders, 55 

CHAPTER  IV. 

AX  OHIO   SCHOOL-TEACHER. 

A  Traveling  Agent  —  Slave  Claimant  —  John  White  — 
Threats — Visit  to  Jane  White — Interview  with  William  Allen — 
Escape  of  Slaves — In  Suspense — Death  of  First-born — Comfort- 
ing Dream— John  White  a  Prisoner— His  Release  and  Subse- 
quent History, • 91 


4  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE   UNDERGROUND   RAILWAY. 

Two  Slave  Families  Escape — Story  of  George  and  James — 
A  Mother  and  Daughter  Leave  a  Boat  bound  for  the  Lower 
Market — Sarah  and  two  Young  Men  join  our  Party — Seven  are 
Conducted  to  Canada — Raisin  Institute  Suspended  for  an  Aca- 
demic Year — Return  to  Cincinnati  —  Maria  —  Threats  of  her 
Master — The  Escape  of  two  Young  Men, Page  111 

CHAPTER  VI. 

FUGITIVE   SLAVES   ASSISTED. 

Clara  and  Three  Children  Rescued — Jack  Betrayed  and 
Returned  to  Bondage — A  Little  Nurse  Girl  taken  from  her 
Owners  in  Cincinnati — How  Zack  was  Saved — Calvin  Fairbanks 
Visited  in  Prison — Fugitive  Slaves  Forwarded, •  133 

CHAPTER  VII. 

CHRISTIAN   AND   EDUCATIONAL   WORK. 

Visiting  and  Nursing  the  Sick — Nine  Slaves  Arrive  from 
Kentucky  —  Richard  Dillingham  Dies  in  Tennessee  Peniten- 
tiary— Seven  Slaves  Conducted  to  Freedom — Teach  Six  Months 
in  Toledo, 162 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

FUGITIVES  IN   CANADA. 

Mission  Among  the  Fugitives  in  Canada  —  Religious  Re- 
vival— Organization  of  a  Christian  Union  Church — Efforts  of 
Missourians  to  Retake  the  Fugitive  Slave,  William  Anderson, 
from  Canada — The  Kentucky  Slave-owner  Whipped  in  the 
Old  Barracks  in  Windsor  in  his  Effort  to  Decoy  Three  Young 
Men  back  to  Slavery — Reopening  School, 192 

CHAPTER  IX. 

RESCUE    OF    SLAVES. 

Escape  of  a  Slave  Family  of  Six — A  Slave  Man  Travels  for 
a  White  Man  and  Succeeds — Trip  to  Arkansas — The  Story  of 
George  Wilson — The  Slave-daughter  under  Mortgage  Released 
by  her  Mother — Mintie  Berry  Purchases  her  Husband — John 
Brown  Hanged — The  War  Opens  and  takes  Seventeen  Students 
of  Raisin  Institute — First  Trip  to  the  Front  with  Supplies,  .  211 


CONTENTS.  D 

CHAPTER  X. 

HOSPITAL    WORK. 

Cairo  —  Incidents  Preparatory  to  Removing  Freednien's 
Camp  to  Island  No.  10 — Death  of  a  Child — Disbursing  Sup- 
plies and  other  Mission  Work  on  the  Island — Story  of  Uncle 
Stephen— Hospital  Visiting  in  Memphis,  Tennessee — Surgeon 
Powers  Reported — Forty  Slaves  come  into  Camp  Shiloh — Seven 
Slaves  come  from  a  Plantation  seven  miles  below  Memphis — 
First  Enlistment  of  Colored  Soldiers — Mission  Work  in  Colum- 
bus, Kentucky — Young  Colored  Man  Shot  by  his  Young  Mas- 
ter— Turning  of  Tables — Return  Home — Our  Principal,  E.  A. 
Haiglit,  Enlisted,  . Page  245 

CHAPTER  XI. 

SANITARY     WORK. 

Organized  Freedmen's  Relief  Association — Solicit  Supplies — 
Academic  Year  Opened  for  1863-4 — Sister  Backus  and  Self  leave 
for  Fields  of  Suffering — Incidents  on  the  Way — Mission  Work  in 
Natchez,  Mississippi — Four  Hundred  Slaves  Hanged  and  other- 
wise Tortured — Visit  to  the  Calaboose — Mission  Work  in  Baton 
Rouge — Arrival  at  New  Orleans — Sketch  of  Persecutions,  .  279 

CHAPTER  XII. 

MISSION    WORK    IN    NEW    ORLEANS. 

Mission  Work  in  New  Orleans — Soldiers  and  Prisoners  Vis- 
ited on  Ship  Island  -Petition  of  Seventy  Soldier  Prisoners  in 
behalf  of  Three  Thousand  of  their  Fellow  Prisoners — Appeal  in 
behalf  of  Ship  Island  and  Tortugas  Prisoners — Mission  Work  at 
Plaquemine — Natchez — Capture  of  a  Rebel  steamer — Arrival  at 
Home— Release  of  the  Three  Thousand  Banished  Union  Sol- 
diers,   320 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

FREEDMEN'S  AID  COMMISSION. 

Refugees  in  Kansas — Children  of  Want — Afflicted  Family — 
Scenes  of  Distress — Agnes  Everett— Quantrell's  Raid  —  Poor 
White  Trash — Hospitals — Supplies  Distributed — Refugee  Build- 
ings— Orphan  Children  —  Haviland  Homo — Thomas  Lean  a 
Prisoner — Petition  for  Pardon— Pardon  Granted — A  Southern 
Clergyman  -  Mission  School --At  Harper's  Ferry  and  Wash- 
ington,    360 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

HOME    MISSION    WORK. 

Mission  Work  and  Incidents  in  "Washington — Murders — 
Alexandria — Richmond,  Virginia — Williamsburg — Fort  Magru- 
der  — Yorktown — Suicide — Gloucester  Court-house — Fortress 
Monroe  —  Norfolk  —  Return  to  Washington  — White  Woman 
Whipped, Page  387 

CHAPTER  XV. 

EXPERIENCES    AMONG    FREEDMEN. 

A  Soldier  Prisoner— Interesting  Statistics — Schools — Plan- 
tations— Incidents — Return  to  Washington — Return  Home  with 
Fifteen  Orphans  and  Fifty  Laborers  —  Change  in  Orphan 
Asylum — Mission  Work  in  Covington  and  Newport,  Kentucky — 
Mission  Work  in  Memphis,  Tennessee — Uncle  Philip  a  Remark- 
able Man — Return  Home, 425 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

CHRISTIAN    LABOR   AND   RESULTS. 

Work  for  the  Asylum — Again  in  Washington  —  Mission 
Work — Trial  of  Henry  Wirtz— Inspecting  Soup-houses — Inci- 
dents connected  with  Kendal  Green  Camp — Peremptory  Order 
of  J.  R.  Shipherd  Closing  Asylum — Children  Scattered — Re- 
turned Home  with  Authority  from  American  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation to  Reopen  Asylum  —  Dangerous  Fall  —  Restored  to 
Asylum  Work — Overtaken  with  Convulsions— Answer  to  Prayer 
in  being  Restored, 450 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL. 

Board  of  Directors  Arrange  for  Closing  the  Home — Dis- 
couragements —  Relief  Comes  by  Sleigh-loads  —  Encourage- 
ments— Petitions  to  the  State  Legislature  to  make  the  Home  a 
State  Institution — Petitions  Granted,  and  the  Orphan's  Home 
becomes  the  "State  Public  School,"  located  at  Coldwater — 
Work  in  State  Public  School, 477 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

PRESENT    CONDITION    OF  THE    FREEDMEN. 

Kansas  Freedmen's  Relief  Association — Testimony  of  Perry 
Bradley  —  Incidents  —  Persecutions  —  Prof.  G  reener  —  Colored 


CONTENTS.  7 

Republicans  —  Further  Testimony —  Negro  Woman  Killed  — 
Letter  from  the  South — Atrocities — Refugees  in  Kansas — Bull- 
dozing— Kansas  Overfull — Protection  Needed — Michael  Walsh — 
Silver  Linings Page  482 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

PROSPECTS  OP  THE  FREEDMEN. 

Supplies  Furnished — Relief  Association  at  Work — Northern 
Outrages —  Prudence  Crandall  —  Colored  Schools  —  Freedinen's 
Aid  Schools — Industrial  and  Agricultural  Institute — Elizabeth  L. 
Comstock  and  the  Refunding  Bill — Death  of  Joseph  B.  Haviland 
— Paidon  of  Louie  Contoy — Death  of  Dr.  Sala  Smith — Death  of 
Bro.  Harvey  Smith — Work  for  the  Freedmen — Samaritan  Mission 
and  Wayside  Home, 511 

CHAPTER  XX. 

CLOSING   SCENES. 

The  Macedonian  Cry  —  Irrepressible  Conflict —  The  Saloon 
Must  Go — "The  Rattlesnake  Story" — Prudence  Crandall  Phileo — 
Raisin  Institute— Cloud  of  War— Temperance  Triumphant,  539 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 

STEEL  PORTRAIT  OF  THE  AUTHOR,     ....     Frontispiece. 

RAISIN  INSTITUTE,  1840, 53 

THE  SLAVEHOLDERS'  THREATS, 76 

AUTHOR'S  ENCOUNTER  WITH  BLOODHOUNDS, 227 

SLAVE  IRONS, 292 

CLARK  UNIVERSITY  FOR  FREEDMEN  (CHRISMAN  HALL),  .     .  434 

STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  FOR  ORPHANS, 480 

ME  HARRY  MEDICAL  COLLEGE, ...  516 

SAMARITAN  MISSION, ...  530 


LIFE-WORK 

OF 

LAURA  S.  HAVILAND 


CHAPTER  1 . 

EARLY  LIFE. 

AT  the  earnest  solicitation  of  many  dear  friends  I  have 
consented  to  leave  on  record  some  of  the  incidents  that 
have  fallen  under  my  personal  observation  during  three- 
score and  ten  years. 

My  father,  Daniel  Smith,  was  a  native  of  Eastern  New 
York,  and  for  many  years  an  approved  minister  in  the 
Society  of  Friends.  He  was  a  man  of  ability  and  influ- 
ence, of  clear  perceptions,  and  strong  reasoning  powers. 

My  mother,  Sene  Blancher,  was  from  Vermont;  was  of 
a  gentler  turn,  and  of  a  quiet  spirit,  benevolent  and  kind 
to  all,  and  much  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her,  and  was 
for  many  years  an  elder  in  the  same  Society. 

It  is  due  to  my  parents  to  say,  if  I  have  been  instru- 
mental, through  the  grace  of  God,  to  bless  his  poor  and 
lowly  of  earth,  by  adapting  means  to  ends  in  relieving  suf- 
fering humanity,  it  is  largely  owing  to  their  influence. 

Soon  after  their  marriage,  they  removed  to  Kitlev 
Township,  county  of  Leeds,  Canada  West  (now  known  as 
Ontario),  where  I  was  born,  December  20,  1808.  I 
well  remember  the  perplexities  and  doubts  that  troubled 
my  young  mind  in  trying  to  find  the  whys  and  wherefores 
of  existing  facts ;  yet  I  was  naturally  a  happy  and  playful 
child.  Some  remarks  made  by  my  parents  over  a  portion 


10  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  Scripture  father  was  reading,  in  which  was  the  sen- 
tence, "and  thev  are  no  more  twain,  but  one  flesh" — 
"that  is  a  close  relationship;  twain  is  two,  no  more  two 
but  one  flesh" — struck  me  with  wonder  and  amazement. 
"Yes,"  replied  mother,  "that  is  a  oneness  that  is  not  to 
be  separated,  a  near  relation  between  husband  and  wife ; 
'no  more  twain,  but  one  flesh.'  'What  God  has  joined 
together  let  not  man  put  asunder.'  "  It  seemed  as  if  every 
word  fastened  upon  my  mind  a  feeling  of  awe  at  the  new 
thought,  that  father  and  mother  were  one  person.  "  Then 
they  think  just  alike,  and  know  all  about  the  other,  if  true; 
father  and  mother  believe  it,  and  they  found  it  in  the 
Bible;  and  that,"  I  thought,  "must  be  true.  Now  for  the 
test :  If  father  and  mother  are  one,  they  must  know  each 
other's  thoughts  and  whereabouts."  After  father  had  been 
out  a  few  minutes  I  asked  mother  where  he  was.  "Not 
far  off;  may  be  he's  gone  to  the  barn."  But  he  was  not 
there.  At  my  report  she  said,  "Perhaps  he's  gone  to 
David  Colemau's,  or  some  of  the  neighbors."  This  settled 
the  matter  in  my  mind,  that  they  were  not  one.  But  I 
gave  the  same  test  to  try  father,  which  also  proved  a  fail- 
ure. But  not  quite  satisfied  without  further  investigation, 
I  asked  mother  for  permission  to  go  to  David  Coleman's  to 
play  an  hour  with  his  little  girls.  Little  did  she  know- 
that  the  object  of  her  little  five-year-old  skeptic  was  to 
present  the  test  to  their  father  and  mother,  to  see  whether 
they  were  one,  and  found  the  same  result  each  time. 

This  settled  the  question  in  my  mind  that  one  thing  in 
the  Bible  was  untrue.  Father  and  mother  were  mistaken 
in  that  part  of  the  Bible  that  said  husband  and  wife  were 
no  more  two,  but  one.  For  a  long  time  after  this,  when- 
ever the  Bible  was  referred  to  as  authority,  I  would  think, 
"It  may  be  true,  and  may  not,  because  I  tried  one  thing 
it  said  that  was  not  true." 

Another  mystery  was  hard  for  me  to  solve.  In  asking 
mother  where  we  should  go  if  we  should  jump  off  the 


EARLY    LIFE.  11 

, 

edge  of  the  world,  she  replied,  "There  is  no  jumping  off 
place,  because  our  world  is  round,  like  a  ball,  and  takes 
one  day  and  night  to  roll  around,  and  that  makes  day  and 
night."  After  the  little  child  of  six  years  had  studied  over 
this  mysterious  problem  a  short  time,  she  returned  with  the 
query,  "Why  do  n't  we  drop  off  while  underside?  and  why 
don't  the  water  spill  out  of  Bates's  creek  and  our  well  ?  "  She 
replied,  "Water,  as  well  as  every  thing  else,  is  always  kept 
in  place  by  a  great  law,  called  gravitation,  that  our  Heav- 
enly Father  made  when  he  made  the  world,"  and  she  said 
I  would  understand  more  about  it  when  older.  But  this 
did  not  satisfy  me ;  I  wanted  to  know  all  about  it  then. 
As  soon  as  father  came  in  queries  were  repeated,  but  he 
closed  as  mother  did,  that  I  must  wait  until  I  was  older, 
which  made  me  almost  impatient  to  be  old  enough  to  know 
how  these  things  could  be. 

Another  subject  occupied  my  childish  mind  a  long  time, 
and  was  investigated  to  the  extent  of  the  miniature  ability 
I  possessed.  And  that  was  the  interesting  fact  that  I  dis- 
covered one  bright  evening  while  looking  at  the  stars,  that 
our  house  was  just  in  the  middle  of  the  world;  and  when 
we  went  to  grandfather's  (a  distance  of  seven  miles),  as 
soon  as  it  was  night,  I  was  out  in  the  yard  measuring  the 
distance  by  stars,  but  to  my  surprise,  grandfather's  house 
was  just  in  the  middle.  For  I  tried  it  all  around  the 
house,  and  went  to  the  barn  with  my  uncles,  and  could 
discover  no  variation.  Consequently  I  must  have  been 
mistaken  at  home.  But  on  our  return  I  could  not  find  by 
the  stars  but  that  we  were  just  in  the  center  of  creation. 
Whenever  I  went  with  my  parents  to  a  neighbor's  for  an 
evening's  visit,  my  first  and  foremost  thought  was  to  see 
how  far  to  one  side  they  were.  But  I  always  found  my- 
self just  in  the  center  of  this  great  world;  just  as  grown- 
up children  are  prone  to  think  their  own  nation  is  ahead 
in  arts  and  sciences,  of  all  other  nations — their  own  State 
ahead  of  all  other  States  in  moral  and  intellectual  improve- 

9 


12  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

«  , 

ments — their  own  town  or  city,  like  Boston,  the  "  hub  of 
the  universe."  In  fact,  we  are  about  the  center;  our  pets 
more  knowing,  and  our  children  smarter,  than  can  be 
found  elsewhere.  But  as  the  study  of  astronomy  gives 
ability  to  look  upon  the  vast  universe  of  thousands  of 
worlds  much  larger  than  our  own,  revolving  in  their  orbits, 
it  develops  our  intellectual  faculties,  and  enables  us  to  view 
the  concave  appearance  of  the  ethereal  blue  from  a  stand- 
point widely  differing  from  the  occupancy  of  the  center. 
And  when  supreme  self  is  melted  away  by  faith  in  the 
blood  of  the  covenant,  our  spiritual  vision  becomes  clearer 
and  our  miniature  minds  are  expanding,  and  we  learn  to 
make  due  allowances  for  the  acts  and  opinions  of  others, 
that  we  have  called  peculiar,  because  they  do  not  quite  ac- 
cord with  our  own  usages  and  tastes. 

In  1815  my  father  removed  with  his  family  to  Cam- 
bria, Niagara  County,  Western  New  York,  then  a  wilder- 
ness. Soon  after  we  were  settled  in  our  new  home,  we 
lost  ray  baby  brother  Joseph,  which  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion upon  my  young  heart,  and  gave  me  great  uneasiness 
in  regard  to  my  own  future  happiness,  should  I  be  taken 
away.  I  found  great  relief,  one  day,  while  listening  to  a 
conversation  between  father  and  grandfather,  as  to  what 
age  children  were  responsible  to  their  Creator.  Father 
gave  his  opinion  that  ten  years,  in  the  generality  of  chil- 
dren, is  the  age  that  God  would  call  them  to  an  account 
for  sin.  Grandfather  said  that  was  about  the  age  he 
thought  children  were  accountable,  and  all  children  that 
die  previous  to  that  age  are  happily  saved  in  heaven. 
"  Yes,"  said  father;  "  where  there  is  no  law  there  is  no  trans- 
gression." At  this  great  relief  to  my  troubled  heart,  I  ran 
out  to  play  with  my  brother  Harvey,  to  tell  him  how  long 
we  would  be  safe,  if  we  should  die,  for  father  and  grand- 
father said  children  that  died  before  they  were  ten  years 
old  would  go  to  heaven,  and  I  would  be  safe  almost  two 
years,  and  he  would  be  safe  a  good  while  longer  (as  he 


EAKLV    LIFE.  13 

was  two  years  and  a  half  younger  than  myself).  "Oh, 
yes,"  said  he;  "and  Ira  will  be  safe  a  great  many  years, 
'cause  he  's  little,  if  he  should  die  as  little  Josie  did."  This 
earliest  conviction  of  sin  vanished  like  the  morning  cloud. 
This  idea  was  so  deeply  embedded  in  my  young  mind,  that 
whenever  I  heard  of  a  child's  death,  my  first  inquiry  was 
for  its  age.  If  under  ten,  I  was  at  ease  over  its  safety; 
but  if  over  ten  years,  I  was  distressed  unless  I  could  hear 
of  some  words  from  the  one  taken  away,  that  would  indi- 
cate a  preparation  for  the  change  of  worlds.  The  vivid- 
ness of  those  early  childhood  impressions  are  frequent  re- 
minders of  the  importance  of  giving  clear  explanations  to 
children,  in  regard  to  important  religious  truths,  as  their 
young  hearts  are  much  more  impressible  than  is  generally 
conceded.^ 

EARLY  IMPRESSIONS  OF  SLAVERY  AND  RELIGION. 

During  the  first  six  years  in  our  new  home,  there  was 
no  school  within  three  miles  of  us,  and  all  the  privilege  we 
enjoyed  of  this  kind  was  a  spelling  lesson  given  daily  to 
three  of  us,  the  two  little  girls  of  our  nearest  neighbor  and 
myself.  Our  mothers  pronounced  the  words  for  us  alter- 
nately, at  their  house  and  ours.  In  this  way  we  spelled 
our  book  through  a  number  of  times.  This  privilege,  with 
four  months  in  school  previous  to  leaving  Canada,  proved  a 
great  blessing.  As  I  possessed  an  insatiable  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge, I  borrowed  all  the  easy  readers  I  could  find  in  the 
neighborhood.  I  was  especially  interested  in  memoirs  of 
children  and  youth,  which  increased  my  frequent  desire  to 
become  a  Christian.  I  wished  to  read  every  book  that 
came  within  my  reach.  I  read  a  few  of  father's  books, 
designed  for  more  mature  minds.  I  became  deeply  inter- 
ested in  John  Woolman's  history  of  the  slave-trade,  of  the 
capture  and  cruel  middle  passage  of  negroes,  and  of  the 
thousands  who  died  on  their  voyage  and  were  thrown  into 
the  sea  to  be  devoured  by  sharks,  that  followed  the  slave-ship 


14  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

day  after  day.  The  pictures  of  these  crowded  slave-ships, 
with  the  cruelties  of  the  slave  system  after  they  were 
brought  to  our  country,  often  affected  me  to  tears ;  and  I 
often  read  until  the  midnight  hour,  and  could  not  rest  un- 
til I  had  read  it  twice  through.  My  sympathies  became 
too  deeply  enlisted  for  the  poor  negroes  who  were  thus  en- 
slaved for  time  to  efface. 

The  third  or  fourth  I  had  ever  seen  of  that  race  was 
an  old  man  called  Uncle  Jeff.  He  seemed  to  serve  any 
one  who  called  upon  him  for  chores,  in  our  little  village 
cf  Lockport,  that  grew  up  as  by  magic  upon  the  Erie 
Canal.  Uncle  Jeff  was  frequently  employed  by  merchants 
to  cry  off  their  stale  articles  on  the  street.  At  one  time 
the  old  man,  whose  head  was  almost  as  white  as  wool,  was 
crying,  "  Gentlemen  and  ladies'  black  silk  stockin's  of  all 
colors  for  sale,"  holding  them  up  to  view  as  he  passed 
along  the  street,  followed  by  a  group  of  boys  crying  out, 
"Nigger,  nigger,"  and  throwing  grass  and  clay  at  him. 
At  length  he  turned  to  these  half-grown  boys,  looking  very 
sad,  as  he  said,  "Boys,  I  am  just  as  God  made  me,  an' 
so  is  a  toad."  At  this  the  boys  slunk  away ;  and  I  felt 
very  indignant  in  seeing  the  men  who  were  standing  near 
only  laugh,  instead  of  sharply  reproving  those  ill-behaved 
children. 

Another  colored  man,  named  Ben,  came  to  our  town 
with  a  family  who  opened  an  inn.  He  was  employed 
mostly  in  the  kitchen,  and  while  Ben  was  asleep  on  the 
kitchen  floor,  some  rude  boys  put  a  quantity  of  powder  in 
the  back  of  his  pants,  and  placing  a  slow  match  to  it  left 
the  room,  but  watched  the  process  of  their  diabolical  sport 
through  a  window,  and  soon  saw  their  victim  blown  up,  it 
was  said,  nearly  to  the  ceiling.  His  hips  and  body  were 
so  badly  burned  that  he  was  never  able  to  sit  or  stoop  after 
this  wicked  act.  He  always  had  to  walk  with  a  cane,  and 
whenever  too  weary  to  stand,  was  compelled  to  lie  down, 
as  his  right  hip  and  lower  limb  were  stiffened.  Yet  little 


EARLY    LIFE.  15 

notice  was  taken  of  this  reckless  act,  but  to  feed  and  poorly 
clothe  this  life-long  cripple,  as  he  went  from  house  to  house, 
because  he  was  of  that  crushed  and  neglected  race. 

RELIGIOUS  IMPRESSIONS  AND   EXPERIENCE. 

In  the  Autumn  of  my  thirteenth  year,  with  our  parents' 
permission,  brother  Harvey  and  I  attended  a  little  prayer- 
meeting  at  our  Uncle  Ira  Smith's  house,  near  by.  Here 
was  singing,  experiences  given,  with  prayer  and  exhorta- 
tions, in  which  young  people,  as  well  as  those  more  ad- 
vanced in  years,  took  part.  All  this  was  new  to  me,  hav- 
ing never  attended  any  other  meeting  than  of  Friends,  usu- 
ally called  Quakers.  My  father  being  a  minister  and 
mother  an  elder  in  that  denomination,  they  were  very 
conscientious  in  training  their  children  in  all  the  usages,  as 
well  as  principles,  of  that  sect.  At  this  Methodist  prayer- 
meeting  a  young  girl,  but  little  older  than  myself,  related 
her  experience,  and  prayed  so  earnestly  for  her  young  as- 
sociates, that  it  took  a  deep,  hold  on  my  mind ;  and  on  my 
way  home,  on  that  beautiful  evening,  I  resolved  to  seek  the 
Lord  until  I  could  know  for  myself  that  my  sins  were  for- 
given. Oh,  how  I  wished  I  was  a  Christian,  as  was  Han- 
nah Bosworth.  She  was  so  young,  and  yet  she  told  us 
how  earnestly  she  sought  the  Lord,  and  found  Jesus  so 
precious  in  the  forgiveness  of  her  sins.  It  was  said  in  that 
meeting  that  God  was  no  respecter  of  persons,  and  that  I 
had  read  in  the  Bible;  and  then  Jesus  had  said,  "Suffer 
little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not;" 
"and  now,  this  very  night,  I  will  begin  to  seek  the  Lord, 
and  I  never  will  give  up  trying,  if  it  takes  as  long  as  I 
live,  until  I  receive  an  evidence  that  I  am  the  Lord's  child. 
I  want  to  realize  that  peace  and  joy  those  men  and  women 
expressed  in  that  meeting."  As  all  had  retired,  I  placed 
a  candle  in  my  brother's  hand,  and  hurried  him  to  bed, 
that  I  might  know  positively  that  no  human  ear  could 
listen  to  my  first  attempt  to  address  my  Heavenly  Father. 


16  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  knelt  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  in  the  rear  of  our 
com  crib,  but  no  words  could  I  find  for  prayer,  and  a  feel- 
iug  of  fear  came  over  me,  and  I  arose  to  my  feet.  I 
looked  all  around  me,  but  no  one  was  in  sight;  naught  but 
trees  and  shrubs  of  the  garden  below,  and  the  ethereal  blue, 
bedecked  with  the  beautiful  moon  and  sparkling  stars,  above. 
Is  it  possible  that  He  who  created  this  beautiful  world  can 
notice  a  little  girl  like  me?  And  the  thought  occurred 
that  I  had  better  wait  until  I  was  older.  But  the  remark* 
to  which  I  had  just  listened  came  vividly  before  me,  and 
I  renewed  my  resolve  to  pray  to  Him  who  had  said,  "Suf- 
fer little  children  to  come  unto  me,"  and  again  knelt  for 
prayer;  but  that  feeling  of  fear  increased,  until  it  seemed 
as  if  some  one  was  about  to  place  a  hand  upon  my  shoul- 
der, and  I  again  found  myself  on  my  feet.  But  as  no  one 
was  in  sight,  I  queried  whether  this  was  not  the  enemy  of 
my  soul,  to  keep  me  from  prayer,  and  fell  upon  my  knees 
a  third  time,  determined  to  remain  in  the  position  of  prayer 
until  my  first  petition  to  my  Heavenly  Father  was  pre- 
sented. And  the  prayer  of  the  publican  was  repeated 
over  and  over  again,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 
These  words  above  all  others  seemed  just  for  me.  I  was 
a  sinner,  and  mercy  was  what  I  wanted.  I  returned  to 
the  house  with  a  still  more  fixed  resolve  to  continue  ask- 
ing, with  a  firmer  purpose  never  to  give  over  until  the  evi- 
dence of  pardoning  love  was  mine.  As  I  retired,  I  knelt  by 
my  bedside,  and  repeated  the  same  prayer,  with  a  few  addi- 
tional words,  imploring  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  teach 
me  the  way  of  life,  and  penitential  tears  began  to  flow.  Be- 
fore I  slept  my  pillow  was  wet  with  tears,  and  was  turned 
for  a  dry  place.  As  I  was  reading  the  Bible  through  by 
course,  it  became  more  of  a  companion  than  ever  before. 
The  next  prayer-meeting  was  attended,  and  as  they 
knelt  during  the  season  of  prayer  I  felt  an  impression  to 
kneel  with  them.  But  the  cross  was  very  great  and  I  did 
not  yield.  I  thought  if  I  did  so  it  would  be  reported  to 


EARLY    LIFE.  17 

• 

my  parents,  and  they  would  probably  forbid  my  coming  to 
these  little  meetings,  which  I  so  highly  prized.  But  this 
was  unprofitable  reasoning,  increasing  the  burden  instead 
of  bringing  the  relief  sought.  I  wept  on  my  way  home,  and 
in  my  evening  supplication  renewed  my  promise  to  be  more 
faithful,  let  others  do  or  say  what  they  would,  if  the  like 
impression  was  ever  again  experienced.  With  permission 
I  attended  the  next  prayer-meeting  at  my  uncle's,  and,  as 
if  to  test  my  faithfulness,  two  young  women  of  my  inti- 
mate associates  came  in,  and  sat  one  on  each  side  of  me. 
At  the  first  season  of  prayer,  as  I  did  not  have  that  im- 
pression, I  felt  quite  at  ease,  and  thankful  to  my  Father 
in  heaven  for  excusing  me.  But  the  next  united  suppli- 
cation, I  felt  that  I  must  unite  with  them  in  kneeling,  and 
while  one  tried  to  pull  me  up  by  the  arm,  with  saying 
"I'd  be  a  little  dunce  if  I  was  in  thy  place,"  the  other 
sister  pinched  the  other  arm,  "Now,  Laura  Smith,  be  a 
little  Methodist,  will  thee  ?  I  'd  be  ashamed  if  I  was  thee ; 
every  body  will  make  fun  of  thee."  But  I  kept  my  posi- 
tion and  made  no  reply,  but  secretly  prayed  for  strength 
in  my  great  weakness.  But  my  fears  were  fully  realized. 
It  was  at  once  reported  that  Laura  Smith  would  be  a  Meth- 
odist if  allowed  by  her  parents.  And  for  a  long  time  no 
permission  was  given  to  attend  those  little  prayer-meetings, 
my  parents  assigning  this  reason:  "This  Methodist  excite- 
ment is  unprofitable,  especially  for  children.  They  have 
an  overheated  zeal,  that  is  not  according  to  knowledge,  and 
we  do  not  think  it  best  for  thee  to  attend ;  we  want  our 
children  at  a  suitable  age  to  be  actuated  by  settled  prin- 
ciple, not  mere  excitement."  This  reasoning  by  my  dear 
father  strongly  tempted  me  to  give  up  my  resolutions  al- 
together. Until  I  was  eighteen  I  felt  no  liberty  whatever 
in  unburdening  my  troubled  heart  to  my  dear  parents. 
They  were  unacquainted  with  the  longings  of  my  poor  soul. 
Like  the  lone  sparrow  upon  the  house-top,  I  mourned  many 
weeks,  sought  the  solitary  place  for  reading  my  Bible,  and 

2 


18  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

• 

prayer;  often  watered  my  pillow  with  tears,  and  longed 
for  the  day,  and  during  the  day  longed  for  the  night,  in 
which  I  might  pour  out  my  .sorrows  to  my  Heavenly 
Father  out  of  sight  of  human  eye.  I  was  conscious  that 
my  sadness  was  troubling  my  dear  parents.  Oh!  how  I 
prayed  for  light  to  dispel  this  darkness  and  doubt — some- 
times ready  to  conclude  that,  as  it  was  my  duty  to  obey 
my  parents,  the  Lord  would  excuse  me  111  waiting  until  I 
was  of  age.  Yet  in  reading  the  many  precious  promises 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  "Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and 
are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest;"  "Seek,  and  ye 
shall  find,"  I  found  fresh  courage.  But  why  do  I  not  find 
this  rest  for  this  weary  heart?  Why  do  I  not  find  the 
way  to  seek  for  the  hidden  treasure  I  so  much  longed  for? 
These  queries  were  continually  revolving  in  my  mind,  with- 
out a  satisfactory  solution.  Sometimes  I  almost  concluded 
that  God  was  too  good  to  send  the  beings  he  created  for  his 
own  glory  to  perdition  to  all  eternity,  and  all  would  ulti- 
mately be  saved ;  at  other  times,  I  could  not  reconcile 
universal  salvation  with  the  parable  of  Lazarus  and  the 
rich  man,  and  was  ready  to  conclude  that  salvation  was  for 
the  elected  few,  and  there  were  those  who  could  not  be 
saved,  and  I  was  among  the  lost.  In  one  of  these  seasons 
of -almost  despair,  I  ventured  to  attend  a  Methodist  meet- 
ing held  in  a  private  house,  in  company  with  my  uncle. 
Being  at  his  house,  I  did  not  go  home  for  permission.  The 
minister  was  a  plainly  dressed  man ;  the  opening  hymn  was 
new  to  me,  but  every  line  seemed  especially  for  me : 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform." 

It  was  read  and  sung  in  an  impressive  manner.     The 
fourth,  stanza  seemed  specially  suited  to  my  case : 

"  Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense, 

But  trust  him  for  his  grace ; 
Behind  a  frowning  providence 
He  hides  a  smiling  face." 


EABLY    IJFE.  19 

This  gave  new  light,  new  courage,  and  fresh  hope  sprang 
up,  like  streaks  of  the  morning  sunbeam  in  the  Eastern 
sky,  preluding  the  full  blaze  of  the  orb  of  day.  The  prayer 
and  the  text  upon  which  he  based  his  remarks  were  all 
flowing  in  the  same  channel.  The  exhortation  was  to  the 
discouraged  and  despairing  soul  to  remember  that  the 
darkest  time  of  night  was  just  before  the  break  of  day,  a 
remark  I  had  never  before  heard.  I  returned  home  stronger 
than  ever  before,  and  ventured  to  tell  mother  of  the  good 
sermon  preached  by  Isaac  Puffer.  But  she  was  again 
troubled,  and  reminded  me  of  those  we  read  of  in  Scrip- 
ture, who  would  compass  sea  and  land  to  gain  one  prose- 
lyte, that  when  gained,  "were  twofold  more  the  child  of 
hell  than  themselves."  She  also  said  that  my  uncles  would 
be  well  pleased  to  have  me  go  with  them.  I  assured  her  that 
neither  of  my  four  Methodist  uncles  had  ever  intimated  a 
word  to  me  on  the  subject.  "But,"  said  she,  "actions 
sometimes  speak  louder  than  words."  This  was  not  de- 
signed to  discourage  me,  but  darker  than  ever  was  the 
cloud  of  unbelief  that  filled  my  heart.  Was  Isaac  Puffer 
a  child  of  hell  ?  then  there  is  nothing  in  religion,  with  any 
body.  It  was  all  a  farce — all  mere  "overheated  zeal,  not 
according  to  knowledge."  All  mere  "religious  excitement." 
I  well-nigh  distrusted  all  religion,  and  father's  and  mother's 
religion  was  the  same  as  others,  of  no  value.  I  had 
groped  my  way  in  midnight  darkness,  trying  to  find  the 
true  way,  when  there  was  none.  In  this  despairing  state, 
while  on  my  way  to  my  grandfather's  on  an  errand,  I  halted 
to  listen  to  the  mournful  notes  of  the  forest  birds  at  my 
left ;  I  looked  upon  the  field  of  waving  grain  at  my  right, 
and  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears  as  I  exclaimed,  Oh,  what  a 
sin-stricken  world  is  this!  Every  head  of  wheat  is  bowed 
in  mourning  with  poor  me!  Is  there  no  balm  in  Gilead? 
is  there  no  physician  there  to  heal  this  sin-stricken  world, 
this  sin-sick  soul  of  mine?  Like  a  flash  the  answer  came, 
Yes,  Jesus  is  that  balm ;  he  shed  his  own  precious  blood 


20  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

for  me  cm  Calvary,  that  I  might  live  now,  and  for  ever- 
more! Yes,  the  healing  balm  is  applied,  and  I  am  saved.! 
Oh,  what  a  fountain  is  opened  for  cleansing!  My  peace 
was  like  an  overflowing  river.  It  seemed  as  if  I  could 
almost  live  without  breathing — my  tears  were  brushed 
away  by  the  breath  of  heaven.  I  stood  a  monument  of 
amazing  mercy,  praising  God  with  every  Ibreath.  All  na- 
ture praising,  instead  of  mourning  as  it  did  a  few  momenta 
before.  O,  how  changed  the  scene !  The  birds  now  sent  forth 
their  notes  of  praise !  The  leaves  of  the  forest  clapped 
their  hands  for  joy,  and  the  branches  waved  with  praise! 
Every  head  of  wheat  was  now  bowed  in  sweet  submission. 
O,  what  a  leveling  of  all  nations  of  the  earth  was  this 
baptism.  I  ha'd  been  prejudiced  against  the  Irish  people, 
as  I  never  had  seen  one  of  that  nation  until  they  came  to 
our  town,  Lockport  (as  it  was  then  called),  by  hundreds, 
to  work  on  the  Erie  canal,  that  ran  through  a  part  of 
father's  farm;  and  as  they  were  frequently  passing  our 
house  drunk,  I  was  afraid  of  them.  But  now  every  soul 
seemed  so  precious,  I  thought  I  could  toil  all  my  life  long 
if  I  could  become  instrumental  in  bringing  one  soul  to  the 
Savior  who  died  to  save  sinners,  though  they  might  be  the 
greatest  drunkards  in  that  or  any  other  nation.  Jesus  shed 
his  blood  to  redeem  all  who  would  by  faith  accept  salva- 
tion so  freely  offered.  The  African  and  Indian  races  were 
alike  objects  of  redeeming  love.  That  was  a  fathomless 
fountain.  After  spending  a  little  time  in  this  reverie,  I 
went  from  this  hallowed  place  to  accomplish  my  errand, 
and  met  a  neighbor,  who  looked  at  me  earnestly  and  said, 
"Laura,  what's  the  matter?  are  you  sick?"  "O,  no; 
I  'm  not  sick,"  and  hurried  on.  And  the  first  greeting  I 
received  from  grandfather  was  the  same  query,  who  re- 
ceived the  same  reply.  I  left  for  home  as  soon  as  the 
errand  was  accomplished,  but  as  I  was  passing  out  of  the 
door  I  met  my  Uncle  Americus  with  the  same  query,  who 
also  received  the  same  answer.  Oh,  how  I  wished  father 


KARIA"   LIFK.  21 

and  mother  could  understand  me,  and  the  overwhelming 
sorrow  I  had  waded  through  in  search  of  this  satisfying 
portion. 

If  any  little  differences  arose  among  my  younger 
brothers  and  sister,  all  melted  away  with  a  word  from  me. 
This  unalloyed  peace  remained  with  me  a  number  of  days, 
and  when  the  time  arrived  for  the  appointed  prayer-meet- 
ing at  Uncle  Ira's,  I  had  a  great  desire  to  attend  it,  and 
hoped,  by  asking  for  permission  to  go,  mother  might  ask 
for  my  reason.  In  this  I  was  disappointed  with  a  denial. 
However,  I  continued  to  pray  to  Him  who  owned  me  as 
his  child,  to  prepare  the  way  in  his  own  time.  My  anxiety 
increased  to  do  something  for  iry  dear  Savior,  who  indeed 
was  chief  among  ten  thousand.  I  could  drop  a  few  words 
here  and  there,  but  with  great  timidity,  but  nothing  of  my 
experience  in  this  new  life;  that  was  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 
I  was  anxious  to  attend  that  little  prayer-meeting,  where 
my  mind  first  was  arrested  on  the  subject  of  my  soul's  best 
interests.  I  often  dreamed  of  earnestly  praying  or  exhort- 
ing in  that  prayer-meeting,  and  would  awaken  myself  in 
the  exercise.  I  had  a  longing  desire  to  invite  to  this  gos- 
pel feast  others,  especially  my  young  associates. 

As  Isaac  Puffer  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  a  brother 
Crane's,  half  a  mile  distant,  on  Sabbath  at  four  o'clock 
P.  M. ,  I  asked  father  for  permission  to  attend,  hoping 
thereby  to  find  liberty  to  open  my  pent-up  feelings  to  my 
dear  parents,  who  so  little  understood  me.  But  my  hopes 
were  vain.  Father  said,  in  reply,  "  Laura,  I  want  thee 
never  to  ask  me  to  go  to  a  Methodist  meeting  again." 

O,  what  a  blow  was  this  for  my  trembling  frame!  The 
door  closed  more  tightly  than  ever  before.  Not  one  word 
could  I  utter.  I  left  the  room,  to  find  my  old  resort  in 
the  grove,  to  weep  bitter  tears  of  disappointment.  But 
widely  different  was  this  burden,  now  resting-  upon  my 
heart,  from  that  mountain  weight  of  sin  and  transgression 
borne  a  few  weeks  previously.  I  read  a  few  days  before 


22  A  WOMAN'S  LIFK-WORK. 

of  the  baptism  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  our  perfect  pattern. 
But  he  came  to  fulfill.  Then  I  read  of  Philip  and  the 
apostles  who  baptized  after  his  ascension ;  and  to  my  young 
and  limited  understanding  I  accepted  the  Avater  baptism  as 
an  outward  acknowledgment  of  the  saving  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  I  fully  believed  I  had  received  the  spiritual 
baptism,  but  I  greatly  desired  to  follow  the  Lord  Jesus 
wherever  he  might  lead.  I  read  "Barclay's  Apology"  on 
that  subject;  yet  my  childhood  mind  dwelt  much  on  what 
I  read  in  these  Bible  examples.  But  to  no  human  being 
did  I  present  these  impressions.  And  I  also  found  the  ex- 
ample of  singing,  that  I  believed  was  vocal,  as  I  read, 
"And  they  sang  a  hymn  and  went  out."  And  it  seemed 
right,  for  the  present,  for  me  to  unite  with  the  Methodists, 
were  it  not  for  the  opposition  of  my  parents,  that  I  felt 
sure  would  not  exist  could  they  but  understand  me.  It 
also  seemed  clearly  impressed  upon  my  mind  that,  if  my 
miud  should  become  clear  to  unite  with  that  branch  of  the 
Christian  Church,  it  would  be  for  eighteen  or  twenty  years 
at  longest.  But  why  not  always  be  my  place,  if  it  is  my 
duty  now?  was  a  query  that  I  much  dwelt  upon.  I  ear- 
nestly prayed  that  God  would  send  Caleb  McComber  to  us, 
an  intimate  friend  of  my  parents,  and  a  noted  minister 
among  Friends. 

Within  a  week  my  heart  leaped  for  joy  at  the  an- 
nouncement by  my  father  that  Caleb  McComber  was  in 
the  neighborhood. 

"What  has  brought  him  here  at  this  time?  His 
brother  (Dr.  Smith)  is  all  right ;  he  has  made  no  trouble 
of  late  in  drinking,"  responded  mother. 

"  I  do  not  know,  I  am  sure,  what  has  induced  him  to 
come  here  at  this  time,  as  there  is  no  meeting  of  business 
on  hand,  for  him  to  take  this  journey  of  nearly  a  hundred 
miles  to  attend,"  rejoined  father. 

Ah,  the  Lord  has  heard  and  answered  prayer !  He 
has  heard  the  cry  of  this  poor  child.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O 


CALEB  MCCOMBER'S  SERMON.  23 

my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits."  I  could,  with 
David,  praise  him  with  a  full  heart,  and  sought  a  lone 
place  to  return  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  him  who  had  so 
signally  answered  my  petition,  and  was  confident  that  the 
same  All-seeing  Eye  and  Directing  Hand  would  prepare 
the  way  for  the  desired  interview. 

The  following  day  being  the  Sabbath,  we  listened  to  a 
sermon  by  Caleb  McComber  that  was  thought  very  singular 
at  that  day  for  a  Friend.  His  text  was  1  Corinthians  xii, 
6  and  7;  "And  there  are  diversities  of  operations,  but  it 
is  the  same  God  which  worketh  all  in  all."  He  referred  to 
the  diversities  of  denominations,  that  were  as  families  com- 
posing the  one  true  Church.  And  in  this  diversity  of 
operations  there  were  those  whose  impressions  of  duty 
were  clearly  given  in  regard  to  complying  with  outward 
ordinances,  water  baptism  and  the  Lord's-supper ;  and  if 
these  impressions  were  not  complied  with,  a  loss  would  be 
sustained  in  spiritual  life.  And  he  exhorted  to  faithfulness 
in  obeying  our  Lord  and  Master.  This  discourse  appeared 
as  directly  addressed  to  this  trembling  child  as  did  that 
of  Isaac  Puffer. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  said  one  of  the  elders  to 
another,  "Did  thou  ever  hear  just  such  a  sermon  from  a 
Friend?  I  thought  it  sounded  like  a  Presbyterian  dis- 
course." Said  another:  "What  ails  Caleb  to-day.  I 
thought  he  preached  like  a  Methodist."  While  these  re- 
marks were  made  I  felt  confident  we  had  listened  to  a 
message  from  the  Great  Head  of  the  true  Church  by  his 
servant. 

As  he  dined  with  our  nearest  neighbor,  in  company 
with  his  half-brother,  Dr.  Isaac  Smith,  and  wife,  we  all 
walked  in  company  nearly  to  our  home,  and  the  two 
young  women  invited  me  to  call.  I  accepted,  with  the 
excuse,  for  a  drink  of  water  (hoping  for  an  opportunity 
of  telling  that  good  man  that  I  desired  to  have  a  talk  with 
him,  and  for  that  purpose  would  call  after  dinner). 


24  A  WOMAN'S  TJFK-WORK. 

But  while  waiting  for  the  glass  of  water,  said  Caleb 
McComber,  "  Child,  how  old  art  thou?" 

The  reply  was,  "Thirteen." 

"I  want  thee  to  tell  thy  father  and  mother  to  come 
here  at  three  o'clock  this  afternoon,  and  I  want  thee  to 
come  with  them." 

I  gladly  performed  my  errand,  and  at  three  P.  M.  we 
were  there.  After  a  little  space  of  silence  he  addressed 
the  heads  of  families  present,  then  directed  his  remarks  to 
us  (the  two  young  women  and  myself),  at  first  rather 
general.  Then  he  said :  "  I  want  to  say  to  one  of  you  that 
thou  hast  passed  through  an  experience  far  beyond  thy 
years ;  thou  hast  known  what  it  was  to  ask  for  deliverance 
from  sorrow  and  darkness,  and  thou  hast  also  known  what 
it  was  to  receive  the  answer  of  peace  from  thy  Heavenly 
Father  that  the  world  knows  not  of.  Hold  fast  that  thou 
hast  received,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown.  Be  faithful 
in  the  little,  and  more  will  be  given.  Bear  in  mind  that 
little  things  are  little  things,  but  to  be  faithful  in  little 
things  is  something  great." 

With  exhortations  to  faithfulness  and  encouragement, 
this  was  to  me  an  undoubted  evidence  that  He  whose  ear 
is  ever  open  to  the  cry  of  his  children  had  most  signally 
answered  prayer  in  this  clear  and  definite  searching  of  my 
heart.  Very  near  and  dear  was  that  faithful  nursing- 
father  brought  to  this  little  child's  heart.  With  all  free- 
dom, I  could  have  related  to  him  the  obstacles  that  appeared 
in  the  way  of  duty  with  me.  But  at  that  hour  my  feelings 
were  too  deep  for  utterance.  Instead  of  remaining  longer, 
as  was  my  impression,  I  returned  home  with  my  parents, 
with  the  view  of  returning  for  a  more  private  interview 
when  I  could  better  command  my  feelings. 

When  about  to  return,  I  began  to  reason  over  the  pro- 
priety of  going  back.  Certainly  that  good  man  had  said 
all  I  could  ask,  both  in  his  sermon  and  in  the  religious 
opportunity  in  the  family.  And  now  there  might  be  danger 


EAELY    LIFE.  2o 

of  going  too  far.  And  there  are  those  two  young  women, 
who  made  sport  of  me  in  that  prayer-meeting,  where  I 
knelt  while  others  led  in  prayer.  Now  they  would  make 
more  sport  than  ever,  as  there  are  so  many  there  I  could 
not  speak  to  him  without  their  knowing  it,  and  I  shrank 
from  going.  I  feared  John  Banyan's  "  lions  in  the  way  ;" 
but  if  I  had  been  faithful  I  would  have  found  them  chained, 
as  were  his.  For  it  was  hard  for  me  to  give  up  the  more 
private  interview,  as  I  was  very  anxious  to  secure  an  in- 
terview between  that  minister  and  my  dear  parents,  as  I 
was  sure  he  understood  me  much  better  than  they.  But 
I  neglected  my  duty  in  this.  O,  how  weak  was  human 
nature ! 

I  had  previously  thought  I  would  never  again  offend 
my  loving  Savior,  but  would  follow  him  through  evil  as 
well  as  good  report.  O,  how  precious  his  cleansing  blood 
appeared  to  me !  It  seemed  as  if  the  drops  that  fell  in  his 
agony  in.  the  Garden  of  Gethsemaue  possessed  power  to 
cleanse  a  world  of  sin  and  pollution.  Yet  I  was  not  faith- 
ful in  the  little.  Although  my  parents  never  after  forbade 
my  going  to  a  Methodist  or  any  other  meeting,  yet  I  saw  it 
grieved  them  as  I  frequently  attended  those  prayer-meet- 
ings, but  never  to  the  neglect  of  our  own,  and  was  often 
impressed  to  speak  or  offer  prayer,  but  did  not  yield.  I 
found,  to  my  sorrow,  that  these  omissions  produced  poverty 
of  soul,  and  often  cried,  "  O,  my  leanness!  my  leanness!" 
In  secret  many  tears  were  shed  over  the  loss  of  that  joy 
that  had  been  my  experience. 

Little  by  little  the  candle  of  the  Lord  that  shone  so 
brightly  became  dim,  and  at  the  close  of  one  year  I  sought 
the  society  of  the  gay  and  mirthful,  more  effectually  to 
drown  my  bitter  regrets  for  having  turned  aside  from  the 
path  so  clearly  marked  out  for  me.  I  fully  realized  that 
the  dark  cloud  overshadowing  me  was  the  result  of  diso- 
bedience. 

In  company  with  a  few  of  my  companions,  I  attended 


26  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

the  funeral  of  an  infant  in  our  town.  The  service  was 
conducted  by  a  Baptist  minister,  who  had  just  come  into 
the  place.  There  was  nothing  in  his  remarks  that  attracted 
my  special  attention.  After  the  meeting  closed,  and  people 
were  leaving,  the  minister  passed  on  a  little  distance,  and 
turned  back,  as  if  something  had  been  forgotten.  Pressing 
through  the  crowd,  he  ascended  the  porch,  and  came  directly 
to  me,  looking  earnestly  at  me,  as  he  reached  his  hand  for 
mine,  saying : 

"  I  felt  as  if  I  could  not  leave  this  place  without  asking 
this  young  woman  a  few  questions.  Have  you  ever  expe- 
rienced religion?" 

This  came  upon  me  like  a  clap  of  thunder,  he,  being 
an  entire  stranger,  asking  a  question  I  never  had  occasion 
to  answer.  I  hesitated,  as  I  had  never  intimated  a  word 
of  my  experience  to  any  human  being.  My  first  thought 
was  to  deny,  but  like  a  flash  came  the  words  of  Jesus, 
"He  that  denieth  me  before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny 
before  my  Father  and  his  holy  angels."  No ;  I  can  not — 
I  will  not,  though  I  die.  With  this  thought  I  frankly 
replied : 

"I  think  I  have." 

"  Do  you  now  enjoy  it?" 

"  I  do  not." 

This  relieved  me  from  the  dilemma  of  being  a  disgrace 
to  the  cause  of  Christ,  as  a  number  of  my  gay  companions 
were  with  me,  also  those  Christian  young  people  to  whom 
I  had  listened  with  interest  in  prayer  and  exhortations. 
But  searching  remarks  from  him  followed.  Still  holding 
my  hand,  he  said  : 

"  You  have  known  of  earnest  pleading  for  the  pardon 
of  sin ;  and  you  have  known  what  it  was  to  rejoice,  as 
your  prayers  were  answered.  You  have  known  your 
duty,  and  did  it  not,  and  have  brought  yourself  into 
darkness.  Do  not  occupy  this  dangerous  ground  longer. 
Keturn  to  your  first  love.  Do  your  first  work  over ;  and 


EARLY    LIFE.  27 

He  who  is  abundant  iu  mercy  will  again  accept  you.  May 
God  grant  his  blessing  upon  you !  Good  bye." 

And  he  left  me  bathed  in  tears. 

These  earnest  words  reopened  the  many  wounds  that 
many  neglected  duties  had  made.  I  could  not  doubt  but 
Elder  Winchell  was  as  truly  sent  -from  God  to  deliver  this 
message  as  was  Caleb  McComber,  for  whom  I  prayed  in 
my  distress.  But  now  the  Holy  Spirit  had  sought  me  out, 
unasked  for,  to  warn  me  of  the  danger  in  the  effort  to  oc- 
cupy neutral  ground,  as  I  had  concluded  to  do  until  I  was 
of  age.  I  saw  more  clearly  that  I  was  responsible  to  my 
Savior,  who  had  done  great  things  for  me,  whereof  I  did 
rejoice  with  exceeding  great  joy. 

Again  my  Bible  became  my  daily  companion,  with 
prayer  for  my  Savior's  directing  hand.  But  my  parents 
were  again  troubled,  as  those  first  impressions  returned  in 
full  force.  I  intimated  my  condition  of  mind  to  my  par- 
ents, but,  with  my  natural  timidity,  not  as  freely  as  I  ought. 
They  still  attributed  these  impressions  to  the  influence 
of  my  Methodist  uncles,  and  considered  their  duty  was 
to  place  these  restraints  upon  their  child.  Father  and 
mother  had  requested  to  become  members  of  the  Friends' 
Society  while  three  of  their  children  were  under  seven 
years,  and  requested  for  us,  making  us  equivalent  to 
birthright  members,  according  to  the  usage  of  our  So- 
ciety. From  the  time  of  my  Christian  experience,  I  was 
never  in  sympathy  with  the  system  of  birthright  member- 
ship. I  believed  it  to  be  a  source  of  weakness,  instead  of 
spiritual  life  in  this  or  any  other  Christian  body,  and  that 
all  members  of  the  Church  militant  should  become  united 
by  a  heart-felt  experience.  I  fully  realized  the  loss  I  was 
warned  to  shun  by  yielding  to  the  earnest  desires  of  my 
dear  parents,  who  were  conscientious  in  their  restraint. 
They  said,  in  after  years,  that  they  were  laboring  under  a 
mistake,  as  was  their  timid  child,  in  not  more  faithfully 
following  those  early  impressions  of  duty.  I  was  not  faith- 

3 


28  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

ful  in  the  little,  consequently  more  was  withheld.  My  great 
mistake  was  the  lack  of  faith,  in  not  fully  returning  to  my 
Father's  house,  where  the  little  wandering  prodigal  would 
have  been  received,  and  the  new  best  robe  again  granted, 
and  the  rough  way  would  have  been  made  smooth,  and 
the  impassable  mountain  that  seemed  to  rise  so  high  would 
have  melted  away  before  the  life-giving  beams  of  the  Sun 
of  righteousness.  But  I  yielded  to  my  timidity,  and  the 
conclusion  was  reached  to  live  a  quiet  Christian  life,  with 
my  Bible  and  secret  communing  with  my  dear  Lord  and 
Savior  in  secret  prayer,  as  I  could  not  give  up  a  strictly 
religious  life.  But  dimly  did  the  lamp  of  life  burn,  com- 
pared with  its  former  brightness. 

The  greatest  source  of  retrograding  in  the  divine  life  is 
unfaithfulness  in  the  performance  of  known  duty.  Many 
of  the  clouds  that  overshadow  us  we  bring  by  withholding 
more  than  is  meet,  and  it  tends  to -poverty  of  soul.  The 
talent  committed  to  our  charge  is  to  be  occupied,  and  is 
always  doubled  when  occupied  by  its  possessor;  but,  as  1 
saw  many  in  whom  I  had  confidence  as  living  a  quiet 
Christian  life — and  this  was  more  congenial  to  my  natural 
feeling — I  reached  the  conclusion  to  make  my  Bible  and 
secret  prayer  my  companions  as  long  as  I  lived,  and  a 
Christian  life  in  the  Society  of  my  parents'  choice. 

At  the  early  age  of  sixteen  I  became  acquainted  with 
Charles  Havilaud,  Jr.,  a  young  man  who  was  acquainted 
with  the  Savior's  pardoning  love,  whose  father  and  mother 
were  both  acknowledged  ministers  in  the  Society  of 
Friends.  From  him  I  accepted  a  proposition  of  marriage,, 
and  on  the  3d  of  llth  month,  1825,  our  marriage  was  con- 
summated at  Friends'  Meeting,  in  Lockport,  Niagara 
County,  New  York,  according  to  the  usage^  of  Friends. 
The  following  Spring  we  commenced  housekeeping  in  our 
own  home,  in  Royalton  Township,  nine  miles  east  of  Lock- 
port,  and  my  dear  parents  and  family  removed  to  Mich- 
igan Territory.  Although  parting  from  them  was  severe, 


EARLY    LIFE.  29 

yet  with  my  youug  and  devoted  husband  I  was  contented 
and  happy  as  was  possible  to  be,  Avitli  so  many  reminders 
of  the  cloud  that  rested  over  me  in  my  spiritual  horizon, 
with  all  my  constant  striving  for  its  removal.  Phoabe 
Field,  au  eminent  minister  among  Friends,  appointed  a 
meeting  in  our  neighborhood,  in  which  she  dwelt  upon 
the  necessity  of  receiving  daily  nourishment  from  .the 
true  and  living  Vine  to  become  fruit-bearing  branches,  and 
remarked  that  there  were  those  whose  religious  experience 
seomed  divergent  from  the  manner  in  which  they  were 
brought  up,  and  through  unfaithfulness  had  well-nigh  lost 
sight  of  the  highway  of  holiness,  in  the  mistaken  view  of 
neutrality,  when  there  was  not  an  inch  of  such  ground  all 
the  way  from  years  of  responsibility  to  the  grave.  We  are 
gathering  with  Christ  or  scattering  abroad.  This  earnest 
discourse  so  clearly  defined  my  own  condition,  that  I  re- 
newed my  many  broken  vows,  and  was  almost  persuaded  to 
yield  the  unsubdued  will,  and  hope  was  indulged  that  the 
Father  of  unbounded  mercy,  in  his  illimitable  love,  would 
again  reveal  himself  in  breaking  the  bread  of  life. 

September,  1829,  we  removed  to  Michigan  Territory, 
and  settled  in  Raisin,  Lenawee  County,  within  three  miles 
of  my  parents,  brothers,  and  sister,  with  our  two  little 
sons,  to  share  with  others  the  privations  of  a  new  country, 
as  well  as  advantages  of  cheap  laud.  As  there  were  a 
number  of  our  Society  in  this  vicinity,  a  Friends'  Meeting 
was  organized,  in  which  we  all  had  an  interest,  and  en- 
deavored to  maintain  it  in  the  usual  order  of  our  Society. 
But  no  true  peace  was  mine,  I  was  still  a  wanderer  from 
the  true  Church  militant.  I  once  knew  the  good  Shep- 
herd's voice,  but  was  now  too  far  away  to  recognize  it.  In 
these  sad  remembrances  I  sought  a  subterfuge  behind 
which  to  hide  in  a  false  rest.  Eagerly  I  read  a  book  on 
that  subject,  and  drank  its  plausible  arguments  without 
stint.  It  was  a  panacea,  a  temporary  opiate  to  quiet  the 
vacillating  condition  of  a  restless  mind ;  yet  my  Bible  was 


SO  A 'WOMAN'S  LIFE-AVORK. 

not  laid  aside,  and  many  portions  of  Scripture  were  vig- 
ilantly brought  to  prove  this  specious  error  to  be  a  radical 
truth  ;  and  two  years  in  this  dead  faith  I  lived  a  dying 
life.  But  I  found  my  investigations  were  not  for  the  whole 
truth,  but  was  dwelling  upon  the  love  and  benevolence  of 
God  to  the  exclusion  of  justice  as  an  attribute  of  the  Lord, 
as  \vell  as  mercy,  and  decided  to  accept  the  whole  truth, 
and  abide  its  .searchings ;  and  sought  for  it  in  the  written 
Word  diligently,  as  for  hidden  treasures.  In  reading 
Paul's  epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  chapter  vi,  I  found,  "It  is 
impossible  for  those  who  were  once  enlightened  and  have 
tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  were  made  partakers  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  have  tasted  of  the  good  Word  of 
God,  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  if  they  shall 
fall  away,  to  renew  them  again  to  repentance,  seeing  they 
crucify  to  themselves  the  Son  of  God  afresh,  and  put  him 
to  an  open  shame."  Oh,  how  these  words  thrilled  my 
whole  being!  Again  and  again  they  were  reviewed.  No 
hope!  no  hope  for  a  lost  soul  like  mine!  were  like  burn- 
ing coals  upon  my  poor  heart.  I  was  once  enlightened 
and  tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift;  but  how  dark  have  been 
these  years.  Oh  !  how  soon  did  the  lam])  of  life  become 
dim  through  disobedience.  I  can  never  again  drink  of  that 
fountain  of  love  that  once  filled  my  soul  to  overflowing. 
But  I  had  fallen  away,  and  could  never  again  be  renewed, 
having  crucified  to  myself  the  Son  of  God  afresh,  and  put 
him  to  an  open  shame,  by  not  honoring  such  a  glorious 
Redeemer,  as  was  my  own  personal  Savior.  O,  what  de- 
lusion !  to  have  indulged  in  the  vain  hope  that  I  was  serv- 
ing him  in  a  silent,  quiet  life,  and  then  cover  over  all  this 
unrest  with  the  idea  that  God  was  too  abundant  in  mercy 
to  cast  off  any  for  whom  he  died  to  save.  Day  and  night 
this  terrible  thought  followed  me  for  months,  "I  am  a  lost 
soul !  irretrievably  lost.  No  hope  !  Eternally  lost !" 

As  I  had  never  intimated  to  my  dear  companion  the 
vacillating  condition  of  mind,  and  the  effort  in  finding  rest, 


EARLY    LIFE.  31 

neither  should  he  be  troubled  with  the  knowledge  that  his 
wife  was  a  lost  soul ;  neither  should  our  little  ones  oil  ar- 
riving to  veal's  of  religious  understanding  ever  know  that 
their  mother  was  a  lost  soul.  The  midnight  hour  often 
witnessed  many  bitter  tears  of  regret  over  the  awful 
thought.  So  near  perfect  despair,  I  looked  upon  beast, 
bird,  or  even  the  most  loathsome  reptile,  and  grudged 
their  happiness  of  living  and  dying  without  responsibility. 
These  sad  forebodings  seriously  affected  my  health,  and  my 
anxious  husband  and  parents  feared  some  serious  disease 
was  preying  upon  me.  I  sometimes  thought  the  sooner  I 
sank  into  the  grave  the  better,  as  my  doom  must  be  met. 
O,  that  I  could  but  claim  the  privilege  of  the  prodigal,  in 
returning  to  the  Father's  house,  and  of  being  accepted, 
though  a  great  way  off.  O  that  I  never  had  been  born! 

0  that  I  had  followed  that  loving  Saviors  voice,  so  often 
clearly  heard.     It  is  now  too  late,  too  late!     O  that  I  had 
returned  to  my  first  love  when  within  my  reach.     But -I 
rejected  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  justly  am  I 
now  rejected.     In  this  distressing  despair  I  opened  a  little 
book — the   Christian   experience  of  one  whose  exercises  of 
mind  traced  through  my  own  experience,  even  to  my  pres- 
ent despairing  state,  as  nearly  as  I  could  have  related  it 
in  my  own  words.     Through  the  instrumentality  of  a  sim- 
ilar experience  in  another,  who  was  restored  and  was  long  a 
useful   Christian,  I  was  encouraged   to  return,  and   found 
the  healing   balm.      Never  can  I  forget  the  thrill  of  joy 
that  ran  through  my  whole  being  as  I  laid  aside  that  little 
book.     I  saw  that  I  had  misapprehended  the  meaning  of 
the  passages  of  Scripture  that  seemed  to  descibe  my  condi- 
tion, and  that  served  to  confirm   my  despair.     I  saw  that 
those  referred  to,  had  so  far  fallen,  and  so  often  rejected 
the  Holy  Spirit's  teachings,  as  not   to  realize  their  condi- 
tion, and  therefore  lost  sight  of  the  necessity  of  a  Redeemer. 
This  was  not,  nor  ever  had   been,   my  condition.      Then 

1  read  Esau's  seeking  the  blessing,  "carefully  with  tears," 


32  A  WOMAN'S  LI FK- WORK. 

that  I  had  also  long  dwelt  upon  as  my  condition.  Here, 
too,  was  a  vivid  thought,  that  he  sought  the  lost  blessing 
to  subserve  self,  instead  of  glorifying  God.  Here  the 
bright  star  of  hope  pierced  through  the  cloud^  Is  it  pos- 
sible that  I  can  go  with  confidence  to  that  Father  who  has 
so  long  borne  with  this  unbelieving,  doubting,  rebellious 
child?  Why  has  he  not  cut  off  this  ciunberer  of  the  ground 
long  ago?  His  long-suffering  and  unbounded  mercy,  O 
how  free!  how  unfathomable!  With  many  tears  of  grati- 
tude, mingled  with  new  hope,  new  aspirations,  the  bright 
beam  of  day  radiating  from  every  promise,  I  could  now 
fully  accept  the  Lord  Jesus  as  my  mediator  and  restorer. 
By  faith,  I  could  fully  trust  the  }x>or  prodigal  in  lib  hand. 
O,  what  losses  we  sustain  through  unbelief.  I  have  felt 
most  easy  in  leaving  my  experience  on  record,  as  a  warn- 
ing to  young  Christians  to  shun  the  depth  of  despair  into 
which  I  sank  through  unfaithfulness  and  unbelief.  "  By 
grace  ye  are  saved,  through  faith."  Increasing  faith, 
strength,  and  peace,  with  restored  health,  was  my  rich 
experience. 

ANTI-SLAVERY  WORK. 

Our  family,  with  others,  united  with  Elizabeth  Mar- 
garet Chandler,  who  organized  in  our  neighborhood  the 
first  anti-slavery  society  in  our  State.  This  was  unsatis- 
factory to  the  ruling  portion  of  our  Society,  as  it  had 
cleared  its  skirts  many  years  ago  by  emancipating  all 
slaves  within  its  pale.  Elizabeth  M.  Chandler  was  of  the 
Hieksite  division  of  Friends,  and  as  Presbyterians  and 
other  religious  denominations  came  into  our  anti-slavery 
society,  meetings  were  frequently  opened  with  prayer,  and 
that  was  thought  to  be  "letting  down  the  principles  of 
ancient  Friends."  And  the  subject  of  slavery  was  con- 
sidered too  exciting  for  Friends  to  engage  in,  by  many 
Friends  of  that  day.  I  began  to  query  whether  it  would 
not  be  a  relief  to  me,  and  also  to  my  friends,  to  become 
disconnected  with  that  body,  as  I  saw  clearly  my  path  of 


EARLY    LIFE.  33 

duty  would  not  he  in  accordance  with  the  generality  of 
our  Society.  After  making  it  a  subject  of  earnest  prayer, 
I  became  settled  as  to  the  course  to  pursue,  and  concluded 
to  unburden  my  heavy  heart  to  my  parents  as  I  had  done 
to  my  beloved  companion,  which  I  did  after  our  Sabbath 
meeting.  We  mingled  our  tears  together.  Father  referred 
to  the  same  proscribing  spirit  they  exercised  over  me  in 
my  early  experience,  that  was  now  exercised  over  them. 
Father  and  mother  wished  me  to  defer  sending  in  my  re- 
quest to  become  disconnected  with  our  Society,  as  they, 
too,  might  think  best  to  pursue  the  same  course.  This 
was  a  severe  trial  for  each  of  us.  Father  had  been  an 
acknowledged  minister  of  the  Gospel  nearly  thirty  years, 
and  mother  occupied  the  station  of  an  elder  nearly  the 
same  time.  We,  too,  had  become  active  members  in  this 
branch  of  the  Christian  Church.  But  the  conclusion  was 
fully  reached  within  two  months  after  our  little  conference 
over  this  important  step,  and  the  following  letter  of  resig- 
nation was  sent  to  our  business  meeting: 

"We,  the  undersigned,  do  say  there  is  a  diversity  of 
sentiment  existing  in  the  Society  on  the  divine  authority 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and 
day  of  judgment,  justification  by  faith,  the  effect  of 
Adam's  fall  upon  his  posterity,  and  the  abolition  of  slavery, 
which  has  caused  a  disunity  amongst  us;  and  there  being 
no  hope  of  a  reconciliation  by  investigation,  ministers  be- 
ing told  by  ruling  members  that  there  is  to  be  no  other 
test  of  the  soundness  of  their  ministry  but  something  in 
their  own  breasts,  thus  virtually  denying  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures to  be  the  test  of  doctrine; — we,  therefore,  do  wish 
quietly  to  withdraw  from  the  Monthly  Meeting,  and  thus 
resign  our  right  of  membership  with  the  Society  of 
Friends." 

This  resignation  was  signed  by  Daniel  Smith,  Sene 
Smith,  Charles  Haviland,  Jun.,  Laura  S.  Haviland,  Eze- 
kie)  Webb,  Sala  Smith,  and  fourteen  others.  A  few  re- 


34  A  WOMAN'S  MFK-WORK. 

turned,  but  the  greater  united  with  other  Christian  bodies. 
A  few  months  after  this  there  was  a  division  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  on  account  of  slavery.  They 
were  called  Wesleyan  Methodists.  As  this  branch  of  our 
Father's  family  was  the  nearest  our  own  views,  we  were 
soon  united  with  them.  Our  testifications  from  Friends 
were  said  by  other  denominations  to  be  sufficient  to  be  ac- 
cepted as  Church  letters,  as  our  offenses  named  therein 
were  "non-attendance  of  meetings  for  discipline,  and  at- 
tending meetings  not  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  our 
Society."  This  was  the  import  of  nearly  or  quite  all  who 
were  disowned  of  our  company.  At  that  day,  all  were 
dealt  with  as  offenders,  and  were  regularly  disowned,  as 
our  discipline  at  that  time  made  no  provisions  for  with- 
drawals. About  a  year  after  this,  the  yearly  meeting  of 
Friends  in  Indiana  divided  on  the  subject  of  slavery.  No 
slavery  existed  in  the  society;  yet  its  discussion  was  deemed 
improper,  and  created  disunity  sufficient  for  severing  that 
body  for  a  number  of  years,  when  they  were  invited  to  re- 
turn, without  the  necessity  of  acknowledgments. 

About  this  time  we  opened  a  manual  lalx>r  school  on 
our  premises,  designed  for  indigent  children.  With  that 
object  in  view,  we  took  nine  children  from  our  county 
house  (Lena wee),  and  I  taught  them,  with  our  four  chil- 
dren of  school  age,  four  hours  each  day.  The  balance  of 
the  day  was  divided  for  work  and  play.  The  girls  I  taught 
house- work,  sewing,  and  knitting.  The  boys  were  taken 
into  the  farm  work  by  my  husband  and  brother  Harvey 
Smith.  As  our  county  superintendents  of  the  poor  gave 
us  no  aid,  we  found  our  means  insufficient  to  continue  our 
work  on  this  plane.  After  one  year  of  this  work  we  se- 
cured homes  for  the  nine  children,  except  two  invalids, 
who  were  returned  to  the  county  house.  We  then  placed 
our  school  on  a  higher  plane,  on  the  Oberliu  plan  of  open- 
ing the  school  for  all  of  good  moral  character,  regardless  ot 
sex  or  color.  At  that  day  (1837)  there  was  not  a  school 


RAISIN    INSTITUTE.  35 

in  our  young  State  that  would  open  its  door  to  a  colored 
person.  And  as  my  brother,  Harvey  Smith,  had  attended 
the  Oberlin  Institute,  he  united  with  us  in  this  enterprise, 
and  sold  his  new  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and 
expended  what  he  had  in  erecting  temporary  buildings  to 
accommodate  about  fifty  students.  The  class  of  students 
was  mostly  of  those  designing  to  teach.  Our  principals 
were  from  Oberlin  during  the  first  twelve  years  of  the 
"  Raisin  Institute."  The  first  three  years  it  was  conducted 
by  P.  P.  Roots  and  his  wife,  Anna  B.,  who  were  excellent 
Christians.  When  they  left,  to  open  a  similar  institution 
at  AVest  Point,  Lee  County,  Iowa,  John  Patch  in  became 
their  successor,  and  conducted  the  school  with  equal  ability 
three  years.  After  uniting  in  marriage  with  a  teacher  in 
Oberlin,  he  was  assisted  by  his  wife.  These  thorough 
teachers  earned  for  our  institute  the  name  of  being  one 
of  the  best  in  our  State.  Students  were  sought  for  teach- 
ers in  our  own  and  adjoining  counties.  Although  our 
abolition  principles  were  very  unpopular  at  that  day,  as 
we  generally  had  from  one  to  three  colored  students  in  our 
school,  yet  the  thorough  discipline  given  in  the  studies  drew 
the  young  people  of  the  best  intellect  from  the  surrounding 
country.  There  were  those  who  came  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  miles  to  prepare  for  teaching  or  for  a  collegiate 
course.  Hundreds  of  young  people  who  enjoyed  the  priv- 
ileges our  school  afforded  came  to  us  with  their  prejudices 
against  colored  people  and  our  position  in  regard  to  them ; 
but  they  soon  melted  away,  and  went  they  knew  not 
where.  It  was  frequently  said  if  we  would  give  up  the 
vexed  abolition  question,  and  let  the  negroes  alone,  Raisin 
Institute  would  become  the  most  popular  school  in  the  State. 
As  a  sample  of  many  others,  I  will  notice  a  young  lady 
from  Jackson  County,  who  was  brought  to  us  by  her  father 
to  become  qualified  for  teaching.  But  her  sensibilities  were 
so  shocked  at  meeting  in  her  grammar-class  a  colored  man 
that  she  returned  to  her  room  weeping  over  her  disgrace, 


36  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  resolved  to  write  her  father  to  come  and  take  her 
home  immediately.  But  the  other  young  women  persuaded 
her  to  attend  the  recitations  assigned  her,  when  to  her 
surprise  the  same  young  colored  man  was  in  the  advanced 
arithmetic  clas's.  And  while  impatiently  waiting  for  her 
father  to  come  and  take  her  from  this  "  nigger  school"  (as 
she  and  many  others  called  it),  a  letter  came  from  him 
advising  her  to  remain,  as  he  had  expended  so  much  in 
fitting  her  for  two  or  three  terms  there  ;  although  if  he 
had  known  that  a  negro  would  have  been  allowed  to  attend 
her  class  he  would  not  have  taken  her  there.  She  soon 
became  reconciled,  and  before  a  half-term  closed,  when  she 
threatened  to  leave  at  all  events  (as  she  read  her  father's 
letter),  she  came  to  that  colored  man  to  assist  her  in  intri- 
cate parsing  lessons.  Before  the  close  of  the  first  term  she 
as  frequently  applied  to  James  Martin,  her  colored  class- 
mate, for  assistance  in  solving  difficult  problems  in  mathe- 
matics as  to  any  of  the  others.  She  was  one  of  our  best 
students;  but  this  deep-rooted  prejudice  went,  she  knew 
not  how,  as  with  very  many  others. 

As  to  religious  privileges  in  our  school,  our  prayer- 
meetings  were  held  bi-weekly,  Sabbath  and  Wednesday 
evenings,  and  ministers  of  various  denominations  frequently 
appointed  meetings  in  our  school  on  the  Sabbath.  While 
the  Rev.  John  Patchin  had  charge  of  the  institution  he 
generally  preached  Sabbath  evening,  instead  of  the  prayer- 
meeting. 

In  the  third  year  of  our  school  our  two  older  sous  made 
a  profession  of  religion,  with  a  number  of  other  students, 
which  was  cause  of  great  rejoicing.  Surely,  we  were 
blessed  above  measure.  Within  two  years  after  we  were 
blessed  with  another  shower  of  divine  favor  in  the  conver. 
sion  of  our  two  older  daughters.  Not  unfrequently  were 
these  four  children's  voices  uplifted  in  vocal  supplication  at 
the  family  altar.  We  were  surely  repaid  more  than  a 
hundred-fold  for  all  our  toiling,  and  heavy  burdens  borne 


KA181N    INSTITUTE.  37 

in  founding  Raisin  Institute.  As  the  fleeing  fugitive  ever 
found  a  resting-place  and  cheer  in  our  home,  we  richly 
earned  the  cognomen  of  "  nigger  den;"  yet  Heaven  smiled 
and  blessed  our  work.  We  had  many  sympathizing  friends 
in  the  Society  from  which  we  were  disconnected  as  mem- 
bers, even  with  those  who  had  deemed  us  too  radical. 
There  was  unity  with  us  in  our  work  that  brought  us  to- 
L'othor  in  after  years. 


38  A    WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER  II. 

BEREAVEMENTS. 

OUR  last  chapter  left  us  rejoicing  in  success,  but  how 
soon  did  deepest  sorrow  take  its  place.  A  dream  seemed 
seut  to  prepare  me  for  the  severe  ordeal  so  near  at  hand. 
I  thought  I  was  standing  in  our  front  yard  looking  east- 
ward, and  an  angel  sitting  on  a  bay  horse  appeared  in  the 
place  of  the  sun's  rising,  coming  to  earth  on  some  mission, 
gliding  over  the  tree  tops  toward  our  house,  where  were 
father,  mother,  my  sister  Phoebe,  and  my  husband,  who 
held  in  his  arms  our  little  babe.  I  started  to  inform  them 
that  an  angel  was  coming  to  earth  on  some  errand,  when 
his  advance  was  so  rapid  I  was  likely  to  lose  sight  of  him, 
and  halted  to  watch  his  flight.  He  seemed  to  alight  in 
our  yard  near  me,  and  smiled  as  he  said,  "Follow  thou 
me."  "I  will,"  I  responded*  as  soon  as  I  bid  Charles  and 
our  folks  farewell.  The  beautiful  personage  assumed  a 
firmer  tone,  as  he  said,  "Let  the  dead  bury  their  dead,  but 
follow  thou  me."  At  this  command  I  responded,  "I  will," 
and  followed  him  to  the  graveyard,  where  he  left  me.  And 
I  awoke  with  that  angelic  figure,  with  that  sweet,  yet  sol- 
emn, voice  ringing  in  my  ear. 

I  related  the  dream,  with  its  clear  impression  in  my 
mind,  to  my  husband,  who  replied,  "That  is  a  significant 
dream,  and  I  think  indicates  death.  I  think  we  shall  be 
called  to  part  with  our  infant  daughter  Lavina ;  and  it  is 
quite  evident  that  consumption  is  fast  hastening  our  sister 
Phoebe  to  her  long  home."  She  was  my  own  sister,  who 
married  rny  husband's  brother,  Daniel  Haviland.  He 
continued  his  remarks,  by  making  suggestions  as  to  the 
course  we  would  feel  it  best  to  pursue  about  a  burying- 


A    SIGNIFICANT    DREAM.  39 

place  for  our  little  daughter,  in  case  of  a  refusal  of  Friends 
to  allow  a  plain  marble  slab,  with  her  name  and  date  of 
birth  and  death  in  their  bury  ing-ground ;  and  suggested 
the  corner  of  our  orchard  as  a  pleasant  place,  to  which  I 
assented.  After  spending  half  an  hour  in  this  conversa- 
tion, he  went  out  to  his  work.  I  prayed  for  my  Savior's 
hand  to  lead  me  in  whatever  trial  it  was  necessary  for  me 
to  pass  through. 

Little  did  I  think  of  the  heavier  stroke  which  wns 
first  to  fall.  A  few  days  after  this  dream  I  was  charging 
myself  with  being  visionary ;  yet  a  few  of  these  most  im- 
pressive dreams,  I  believe,  have  been  designed  for  our 
instruction.  My  husband  was  seized  with  a  heavy  cold, 
accompanied  by  a  severe  cough,  that  was  increasing;  yet 
he  was  able  to  be  about  the  house  and  barn,  giving  direc- 
tions, as  to  outdoor  work,  but  nothing  appeared  alarming, 
when  I  was  aroused  by  a  startling  dream  of  a  coffin  being 
brought  into  our  front  room  by  four  men,  of  whom  I 
inquired  who  was  dead.  The  answer  was,  "A  connection 
of  yours."  "I  want  to  see  him,  for  that  coffin  appears  to 
be  for  a  small  man,"  was  my  reply.  "He  is  a  small 
man,"  was  the  rejoinder,  "and  you  shall  see  him."  Upon 
this,  the  closed  coffin  was  brought  to  me,  and  I  arose  and 
followed  the  pall-bearers  to  the  graveyard.  As  the  people 
were  standing  around  the  open  grave  to  see  the  coffin 
lowered,  I  saw  a  little  child  standing  on  the  very  edge  of 
the  grave  opposite  to  me.  I  exclaimed,  "Do  take  that 
child  away,  for  it  will  cave  into  the  grave  after  its  father !" 
At  that  instant  the  light  sand  under  its  feet  gave  way, 
and,  as  it  struck  the  coffin,  the  loud,  hollow  sound  awoke 
me,  trembling  as  with  a  fit  of  ague,  and  with  the  strong 
impression  that  I  was  soon  to  part  with  my  beloved  com- 
panion and  infant  daughter,  although  both  were  sweetly 
sleeping  by  my  side.  With  this  thrill  through  my  whole 
being,  I  resorted  to  prayer  for  their  restoration  to  health, 
if  consistent  with  the  divine  will. 


40  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Although  my  husband  had  enjoyed  good  health  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  had  not  for  seven  years  preriously  called 
upon  a  physician,  yet  I  now  resolved  to  persuade  him  to  call 
for  one  at  once.  As  the  clock  struck  four,  and  as  I  was 
leaving  the  bed  to  light  the  fire,  my  husband  awoke,  and 
said  he  had  enjoyed  the  most  refreshing  sleep  he  had  had 
since  taking  this  cold,  and  felt  so  well  he  thought  he  soon 
should  be  rid  of  it.  Whenever  I  spoke  the  chattering  of 
my  teeth  revealel  my  agitation,  and  he  expressed  fear  lest 
I  should  be  ill  from  the  hard  chill.  But  little  did  he 
understand  the  upheavings  of  my  troubled  heart.  Soon  a 
severe  paroxysm  of  coughing  gave  the  opportunity  to  sug- 
gest the  idea  of  sending  for  a  physician.  At  length  he 
consented,  as  he  said,  to  please  me,  as  he  thought  this 
cough  would  soon  give  way.  But  while  I  went  to  our 
boy's  study-rojm  to  awaken  our  sou  Harvey  to  go  for  the 
doctor,  a  severe  pain  in  the  region  of  the  lungs  was 
cutting  every  breath. 

The  doctor  was  soon  with  us,  but  he  thought  there 
were  no  discouraging  symptoms  apparent.  I  sent  for  Fa- 
ther Havilaud,  who  also  thought,  as  did  the  doctor,  that  I 
was  unreasonably  troubled  ;  but  during  the  following  night 
he  expressed  doubts  of  recovery  himself,  and  requested  his 
will  to  be  written,  which  was  done.  As  his  fever  increased, 
great  effort  was  made  to  control  our  feelings  in  his  pres- 
ence. At  one  time,  as  he  awoke,  he  discovered  fast-falling 
tears,  and  said :  "  Do  not  weep  for  me,  my  dear  wife ;  re- 
member those  beautiful  lines : 

1  God  moves  in  mysterious  way, 

His  wonders  to  perform.' 
We  are  not  to 

'  Judge  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense, 

But  trust  him  for  his  grace  ; 
Behind  a  frowning  providence 
He  hides  a  smiling  face.' 

Our  separation  will  be  short  at  longest.     Then  we  shall  be 
reunited  where  there  is  no  sorrow — no  more  dying — in  that 


DEATH    OF    HUSBAND.  41 

glorious  home.  Two  days  ago  there  seemed  a  little  cloud ; 
but  prayer  was  answered,  aiid  the  cloud  was  all  removed. 
The  overshadowing  now  is  that  of  peace  and  love."  He 
called  for  the  children.  Looking  upon  us  all,  he  said,  "O, 
how  dear  you  all  are  to  me !"  Calling  each  by  name,  he 
gave  advice  and  exhortations  as  none  but  a  departing  hus- 
band and  father  could  leave  with  his  family — a  legacy  more 
precious  than  all  the  golden  treasures  of  earth.  Then  he 
added:  "I  want  you,  my  dear  children,  to  promise  me 
that  you  will  meet  your  father  in  heaven.  Will  you  meet 
me  there  ?"  Taking  our  little  babe  in  his  arms,  he  kissed 
her,  and  said,  "  Dear  little  Lavina  will  soon  be  with  her 
father,"  and  closed  with  the  prayer:  "O  Lord,  I  commit 
my  dear  wife  and  children  into  thy  hands.  Thou  art  the 
widow's  God,  and  a  loving  Father  to  fatherless  children." 
The  words  of  the  dying  Christian,  beginning 

"What 's  that  steals,  (hat  steals  upon  my  frame? 
Is  it  death— is  it  death  ?" 

were  sung  by  his  bedside,  and  as  the  last  line, 
"  All  is  well— all  is  well," 

was  reached,  he  raised  his  hands,  and  repeated,  "  O,  hal- 
lelujah to  the  Lamb!"  Then,  turning  to  me,  he  added, 
"  My  dear,  I  want  these  lines  sung  at  my  funeral."  His 
last  words  were,  "Come,  Lord  Jesus,  thy  servant  is  ready," 
and  with  a  sweet  smile  his  happy  spirit  was  wrafted  home, 
March  13,  1845. 

His  disease  was  inflammatory  erysipelas,  at  that  time 
entirely  new,  and  not  understood  by  our  physicians.  It 
passed  through  our  portion  of  the  State,  a  sweeping  epi- 
demic, in  the  Spring  of  1845,  and  proved  fatal  in  most 
cases.  My  dear  mother,  who  was  with  us  during  this  week 
of  sorrow,  was  taken  home  with  the  same  disease,  and  in  one 
week  her  happy  spirit  took  its  flight  to  God  who  gave  it. 
She,  too,  left  us  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  She  had  not 
left  us  an  hour  before  brother  Daniel  came  for  me  to  go 


42  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

to  his  dying  wife,  as  she  was  calling  for  mother,  and  he  did 
not  dare  inform  her  that  mother  was  dangerously  ill.  I 
took  my  little  emaciated  babe  upon  a  pillow,  and  went  to 
my  dear  sister,  who  was  so  soon  to  leave  us.  Her  first 
query  was,  "  How  is  our  dear  mother?" 

"  Mother  is  a  happy  spirit  in  heaven,"  was  the  reply, 
"and  sister  Phceta  will  soon  meet  her  there." 

Her  reply  was:  "It  is  well;  but  I  had  hoped  to  meet 
her  once  more  in  this  world — yet  we  '11  soon  meet,  to  part 
no  more  forever.  She  soon  followed  brother  Charles ;  but 
I  trust  we  will  all  meet  one  day,  an  unbroken  band.  O 
how  I  wish  I  could  see  brother  Ira !"  an  absent  brother 
foi*  whom  she  had  often  expressed  great  anxiety  in  regard 
to  his  spiritual  and  everlasting  welfare. 

The  same  burden  of  soul  for  the  same  brother  had  also 
rested  on  the  heart  of  our  sainted  mother,  whose  funeral  took 
place  two  days  later.  Within  one  week  sister  Phrebe  died  in 
peace.  Here  was  the  third  wave  of  sorrow  rolling  over  us. 

From  this  house  of  mourning  I  was  removed  to  my 
home  with  the  same  disease  that  had  taken  my  husband 
and  mother;  and  a  number  of  our  neighbors  were  going 
the  same  way.  My  father  and  father-in-law  thought  me 
dangerously  ill — chills  and  fever,  with  stricture  of  the 
lungs,  that  made  respiration  painful.  They  were  very 
anxious  to  have  the  best  help  that  could  be  obtained  at 
once;  "for,"  said  father,  "what  is  done  for  thee  must  be 
done  quickly."  I  told  him  that  every  one  who  had  been 
taken  with  this  disease  had  died,  as  physicians  of  each 
school  did  not  understand  it.  But  I  would  return  to  my 
home,  as  they  suggested ;  but  felt  most  easy  to  trust  my- 
self with  water  treatment,  and  would  like  to  take  a  shower- 
bath  every  two  hours,  and  try  that  treatment  twelve  hours. 
This  was  done,  and  every  bath  brought  relief  to  respira- 
tion, and  my  lungs  became  entirely  free,  though  my  neck 
and  throat  were  still  badly  swollen  and  inflamed.  Cold 
applications,  frequently  applied,  soon  overcame  that  diffi- 


A  CRITICAL  MOMENT.  43 

culty,  and  iu  three  days  the  disease  seemed  entirely  con- 
quered. 

A  relapse  from  taking  cold,  however,  threw  me  into  a 
stupor ;  but  I  was  aroused  by  an  expression  of  a  neighbor, 
as  he  said  :  "  She  is  not  conscious,  and  never  will  be,  un- 
less something  is  done;  and  if  she  were  a  sister  of  minc-a 
doctor  would  lie  here  as  soon  as  I  could  bring  him." 

"  I  will  see  if  I  can  get  an  expression  from  her,"  said 
my  brother  Harvey. 

"  If  we  can  only  learn  mother's  wish  it  shall  be  granted," 
said  my  anxious  son  Harvey. 

As  I  heard  their  remarks  a  strong  impression  came  over 
me  that  if  I  were  placed  iu  charge  of  a  physician  I  should 
not  live  two  days,  but  if  I  could  tell  them  to  shower  my  head 
and  neck  often  I  would  recover.  As  I  looked  upon  my 
anxious  fatherless  children  around  my  bed  I  made  an  effort 
to  speak,  but  my  parched  and  swollen  tongue  could  not  for 
some  time  utter  a.  word.  The  answer  to  earnest  prayer 
came  from  Him  who  numbers  even  the  very  hairs  of  our 
head.  As  my  brother  took  my  hand,  saying,  "If  you  wish 
a  physician  press  my  hand,  or  if  you  wish  water  treatment 
move  your  head  on  the  pillow,"  I  could  not  move  my  head 
in  the  least,  and  my  only  hope  was  to  say  no.  When 
asked  if  I  wished  a  doctor  sent  for,  I  prayed  that  my  tongue 
might  utter  words  of  direction  for  the  sake  of  my  father- 
less children,  and  said,  "No." 

"  Do  you  want  cold  compresses,  or  shall  we  gently 
shower  over  a  thin  cloth  on  the  swollen  and  inflamed  por- 
tion of  your  neck  and  head?" 

"  Shower." 

"Cold  or  tepid?" 

"Well." 

"If  you  mean  well-water,  how  much?" 

"Big  pitcher." 

"How  often?" 

"Twenty  minutes." 


44  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Said  ray  son  Harvey,  "It  shall  be  done,  if  I  sit  by  her 
every  minute  to-night." 

I  felt  a  positive  impression  that  my  Heavenly  Father 
had  answered  my  prayer  directly,  and  granted  an  assur- 
ance, in  the  token  of  recovery,  and  I  praised  the  Lord  for 
his  "loving  kindness,  O,  how  free."  With  this  assurance 
I  fell  back  in  a  stupor,  except  a  dreamy  consciousness  of 
their  showering,  which  was  faithfully  done,  with  the  assis- 
tance of  my  brother.  At  twelve  o'clock  I  awoke,  and  in- 
quired where  all  the  people  were  that  filled  the  room  a 
little  while  before,  and  was  surprised  to  learn  the  hour  of 
night.  They  said,  as  my  breathing  became  more  natural, 
the  neighbors  had  left  and  the  children  retired.  I  could 
speak  easily,  and  the  purple  appearance  of  the  skin  had 
disappeared.  In  the  morning  the  pain  was  entirely  gone, 
but  the  soreness  was  still  severe.  But  with  frequent 
changes  of  compresses  during  the  day,  the  swelling  very 
much  subsided.  I  wondered  why  father  did  not  come,  as 
he  had  not  been  to  see  me  since  sister  Phoebe's  funeral. 
My  brother  informed  me  that  he  had  a  chill  during  the 
funeral,  and  had  not  been  able  to  leave.  As  he  had  a 
few  fits  of  the  ague  some  weeks  previously,  I  supposed  it 
was  a  return  of  that  disease.  The  day  following  brother 
Sala  came,  and  in  reply  to  my  inquiry  after  my  father, 
said  he  was  no  better,  but  sent  me  a  request  to  be  very 
careful  of  myself,  and  hoped  I  would  soon  recover,  and 
left  in  seeming  haste  to  see  brother  Patchin.  But  I  sent 
for  him  to  come  and  tell  me  more  about  father.  He  soon 
came  with  brother  Patchiu  and  brother  Dolbeare.  He  then 
told  me  that  father  had  the  same  disease  that  had  taken 
my  husband  and  our  mother,  and  he  also  said  that  it  was 
father's  request  that  for  the  sake  of  my  large  family  of 
children,  Avho  were  recently  bereft  of  their  father,  that  I 
would  give  up  the  idea  of  coming  to  see  him. 

But  I  could  not  be  satisfied  without  going  to  see  my 
dear  father  once  more,  and  yet,  the  pleading  of  my  dear 


MY  DYING   FATHP:R.  45 

children  was  almost  too  much  to  forego.  "We  have  just 
lost  our  father;  now  -what  should  we  do  if  our  mother 
should  be  taken  from  us?  "  "  But  if  I  am  rolled  in  quilts  and 
laid  on  a  bed  in  the  wagon,  I  am  confident  I  can  be  taken 
to  father's  house  safely" — distant  nearly  three  miles.  In 
this  way  I  was  taken  to  my  dying  father,  though  unable 
to  walk  across  the  room  without  assistance.  As  soon  as 
he  learned  of  my  coming,  he  directed  them  to  lay  me  on 
the  bed  until  I  was  rested.  In  a  few  minutes  he  sent  them 
to  bring  me  to  him.  As  my  son  and  brother  led  me  to 
his  bedside,  he  placed  the  cold  purple  fingers  over  my 
pulse,  and  said,  "I  am  so  glad  to  see  thee,  but  I  feared  it 
would  be  too  much  for  thee  to  bear.  There  is  a  little 
feverish  excitement  about  thee  yet.  I  am  more  concerned 
for  thee  than  for  the  rest  of  my  children,  on  account  of 
thy  large  family,  that  will  so  much  need  their  mother's 
counsel  and  care.  I  want  to  say  to  thee,  Look  up  to  the 
widow's  God  for  guidance,  for  wisdom  from  him  is  so  much 
needed,  with  the  heavy  responsibilities  now  resting  upon 
thee.  Do  not  allow  these  bereavements  to  crush  thy  feeble 
frame.  I  have  feared  they  had  already  seriously  affected 
thy  health.  I  know  thy  anxiety  to  bring  up  thy  children 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  And  he  will 
grant  ability  to  lead  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  shed 
liis  precious  blood  for  us  all."  With  other  advice,  he  be- 
came weary,  and  said,  "  Now  take  her  back  to  the  other 
room,  and  lay  her  on  the  bed  until  rested."  And  during 
the  few  hours  he  lived  he  frequently  sent  for  me  to  talk  a 
few  minutes  at  a  time,  watching  my  pulse  each  time,  until 
within  a  few  moments  of  the  last  farewel1  to  earth. 

There  were  six  of  his  children  present,  to  whom  he 
gave  his  farewell  blessing,  leaving  a  bright  evidence  that 
all  was  wrell  with  him.  "In  me  there  is  no  merit.  I  am 
fully  trusting  in  the  merit  of  my  crucified  Savior,  who 
shed  his  own  precious  blood  for  my  redemption.  I  can 
say  with  Job,  'I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives,'  and  be- 


46  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFK-WORK. 

cause  he  lives  I  shall  live  also."  His  last  words,  almost 
with  his  last  breath,  were,  "Here  she  comes,"  and  left 
this  tabernacle  for  the  building  riot  made  with  hands,  eter- 
nal in  the  heavens.  Father  and  mother  were  lovely  in  their 
lives,  and  in  their  death  were  only  two  weeks  divided. 
It  seemed  that  my  last  earthly  prop  was  gone.  Three 
weeks  later  my  youngest  child  followed  her  father  and 
grandparents  to  the  spirit  home.  Within  six  weeks,  five 
of  my  nearest  and  dearest  ones  were  taken  from  me. 

There  was  hardly  a  family  within  two  miles  of  us  but 
was  bereft  of  one  or  two  loved  ones  by  this  epidemic. 
Five  widows  (myself  included)  at  one  time  were  standing 
around  the  death-bed  of  a  near  neighbor.  Our  female 
principal  at  that  time,  Emily  Galpin,  was  taken  with  this 
epidemic,  and  died  after  three  days'  illness.  A  few  hours 
previous  to  her  death  she  requested  a  season  of  prayer,  in 
which  her  husband,  Rev.  Charles  Galpiu,  led.  Her  pros- 
pect was  bright,  and,  clearly  foreseeing  the  ransomed  throng 
she  was  soon  to  join,  said  she,  "Oh!  hew  vain,  how  transi- 
tory, does  all  earthly  treasure  appear  at  this  hour — a 
mere  bubble  upon  the  water."  About  a  half  an  hour  be- 
fore she  left  us,  she  said,  "Hark!  don't  you  hear  that 
beautiful  music?  Oh!  what  music;  I  never  heard  any- 
thing like  it!  Do  n't  you  hear  it?"  "  No,  we  do  not  hear 
it."  Being  in  an  ecstacy,  she  exclaimed,  "  Look  at  that 
heavenly  choir.  Do  n't  you  see  them  ?  Do  n't  you  hear 
that  sweetest  of  all  music?"  "We  do  not  see  them  nor 
hear  them."  "  There — they  have  left."  A  few  minutes 
before  her  happy  spirit  took  its  fljght,  she  again  looked  up 
very  earnestly.  "  There  they  are  again.  Oh,  how  sweet! 
how  beautiful!"  And  taking  leave  of  her  husband  and 
two  children,  sister  and  brother-in-law,  and  of  all  present, 
committing  her  dear  ones  to  the  keeping  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
with  the  request  that  the  two  lines, 

"  Rock  of  Ages,  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  thee," 


Rl  SINKSS     KMBARRASSMKNTS.  47 

be  placed  upon  the  marble  slab  to  mark  her  resting  place, 
she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

Such  fatality  never  before,  uor  since,  visited  Raisin  as 
in  1845.  In  those  days  of  sorrow  commingled  with  the 
rest  of  faith,  that  brought  peace  and  joy  even  in  afflic- 
tion, my  only  reliance  was  the  widow's  God,  for  wisdom  I 
so  much  needed  in  the  double  responsibilities  now  resting 
upon  me. 

After  the  death  of  my  sweet  babe,  twenty-two  mouths 
of  age,  and  my  restoration  to  health,  I  looked  over  amounts 
of  indebtedness  with  dates  when  due.  I  made  an  estimate 
of  costs  of  harvesting  and  marketing  the  twenty  acres  of 
wheat  and  other  grains,  and  what  must  be  retained  for 
family  use  ;  and  found  I  would  be  able  to  reach  only  about 
half  the  amount  due  the  following  Autumn.  I  called  on 
all  our  creditors  within  reach  to  inform  them  of  proba- 
bilities, unless  I  could  find  sale  for  a  portion  of  the  stock. 
But  none  of  the  cfeditors  wanted  any  of  it.  Said  one, 
to  whom  the  largest  amount  was  due,  "You  do  not  think 
of  taking  your  husband's  business  and  carrying  it  forward, 
do  you?"  I  replied,  "I  thought  of  trying  to  do  the  best 
I  could  with  it.  With  a  look  of  surprise,  he  said  firmly, 
"  You  are  very  much  mistaken,  Mrs.  Haviland;  you  can  not 
do  any  such  thing ;  you  had  much  letter  appoint  some  man 
in  Avhom  you  have  confidence  to  transact  your  business  for 
you."  I  informed  him  I  had  seven  minor  children  left 
me,  and  I  found  seven  hundred  dollars  of  indebtedness, 
and  it  would  cost  money  to  hire  an  agent.  Then,  I  ought 
to  know  just  where  I  stand,  to  enable  me  to  look  closely 
to  expenditures.  "Well,  you  can  try  it,  but  you'll  find 
your  mistake  before  six  mouths  have  passed,  and  you'll  see 
you  had  better  have  taken  my  advice."  I  knew  I  was  not 
accustomed  to  business  of  this  sort.  All  the  other  cred- 
itors whom  I  had  seen  spoke  very  kindly.  Although  these 
words  were  not  unkindly  spoken,  yet  they  were  saddening 
to  my  already  sad  heart. 


48  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  was  too  timid  to  go  to  the  probate  judge  with  any 
sort  of  case  for  instruction.  In  looking  around  me  for 
some  female  friend  to  accompany  me,  I  could  find  but  very 
few  who  were  not  undergoing  like  trials  with  myself,  conse- 
quently I  must  submit  to  these  new  experiences,  as  what- 
ever was  right  for  me  to  do  was  proper.  I  depended  upon 
an  all  wise  guiding  Hand,  who  is  ever  ready  to  reach 
it  forth  to  the  trusting  child.  I  wrote  to  one,  a  few 
miles  distant,  to  whom  was  due  eighty  dollars  the  ensuing 
Fall,  that  forty  dollars  would  be  all  I  should  be  able  to 
meet.  He  called  in  a  few  days,  and  introduced  himself 
saying  that  he  had  received  a  statement  from  me  that  I 
could  only  pay  him  the  coming  Fall  fifty  per  cent  on  the 
eighty-dollar  note  he  held  against  my  husband.  Said  he, 
in  a  hurried  manner,  "I  called  to  let  you  know  that  I 
must  have  it  all  when  it  is  due,  as  I  have  a  payment  to 
make  on  my  farm  at  that  time,  and  I  have  depended  on 
that."  I  told  him  I  would  gladly  pay*  him  every  penny  of 
it  the  coming  Fall,  but  it  would  be  impossible,  as  there 
were  other  demands  equally  pressing.  "Very  well,  that  is 
all  I  have  to  say,  madam ;  I  can  not  accept  any  such 
arrangement;  I  shall  put  in  a  way  to  bring  it.  Good-by.' 

He  left  in  haste  for  me  to  ponder  all  these  things 
over,  in  doubts  as  to  my  ability  to  meet  all  these  rough 
places  of  outside  life.  Perhaps  I  had  better  leave  this 
business  with  some  man  to  deal  with  men.  But  prayer  to 
the  widow's  God  and  comforting  promises  were  my  com- 
panions. Here  was  my  only  refuge  and  shelter  in  these 
storms.  As  I  retired  with  a  burdened  heart,  that  I  was 
endeavoring  to  cast  at  the  feet  of  my  Savior,  the  widow's 
burden-bearer,  I  had  a  sweet  dream  of  an  angelic  host,  that 
filled  my  room  with  a  halo  of  glory,  settled  on  every  face, 
and  those  nearest  my  bed  appeared  in  the  form  of  persons 
dressed  in  beautiful  attire;  others  were  sweet  faces  that 
looked  upon  me  with  smiles  of  peace.  As  one  took  my  hand, 
a  familiar  feeling  sprang  up,  that  gave  me  confidence  to 


PRAYER    ANSWERED.  49 

ask  for  the  name.  "My  name  is  Supporter."  And  look- 
ing at  the  one  standing  near,  "And  what  is  his  name?" 
"That  is  a  woman,  and  her  name  is  Influeucer-of-hearts." 
Pointing  to  another  still  more  glorious  in  appearance, 
"And  who  is  that  one?"  "That  is  Starcher-of-hearts." 
"Then  you  all  bear  the  name  of  your  mission*  to  earth, 
\lo  you?"  "We  do,"  replied  Supporter.  As  I  looked 
over  this  host  that  filled  my  room  I  burst  into  a  flood  of 
tears  for  joy.  I  exclaimed,  "Oh!  what  missions  are  yours! 
so  many  wayward  hearts  to  influence,  so  much  of  sin  and 
wickedness  that  reigns  in  this  world  to  search  out."  At 
this  said  Searcher-of- hearts,  "Support  her,  for  she  needs 
it."  "I  do,"  and  he  reached  for  my  other  hand,  and  as 
both  of  my  hands  were  held  by  Supporter,  I  realized  a 
wave  of  strength  to  pass  over  me,  filling  my  soul.  I  awoke 
in  an  ecstacy.  Yes,  I  will  cast  my  care  on  Jesus  and  not 
forget  to  pray.  Calm  and  sweet  was  this  confidence  in 
being  cared  for,  and  supported  by  an  almighty  arm. 

A  few  days  after  I  saw  the  exacting  man  coming 
through  my  gate,  which,  for  a  moment,  caused  a  dread  ; 
but  the  second  thought  was,  all,  all  is  with  my  Savior.  I 
met  him  with  the  usual  greeting,  and  said,  "  You  have 
called  to  see  about  that  claim  you  have  against  me." 
"Yes,  I  have  called  to  inform  you  that  I  shall  not  want 
any  thing  from  you  next  Fall,  and  perhaps  shall  not  want 
more  than  half  next  year,  as  I  have  received  one  hundred 
dollars  that  I  had  supposed  was  lost,  and  as  I  was  coming 
within  two  miles  I  thought  I  would  call  and  let  you  know 
of  my  conclusion."  '  While  I  thanked  him  for  the  favor, 
secret  praise  ascended  to  Him  who  melts  away  the  mount- 
ain that  seems  impassable,  making  a  way  where  there 
seemed  no  way. 

This  may  seem  a  small  matter,  but  for  me  at  that  time 
it  was  a  reason  for  rejoicing  at  this  unexpected  turn  of  af- 
fairs. It  was  but  one  of  many  similar  cases,  and  none 
can.  more  fully  realize  the  blessing  of  these  reliefs  than  the 


50  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

widow  of  nearly  twoscore  years,  who  never  previous  to 
widowhood  knew  the  burden  of  outside  work  in  providing 
for  a  large  family,  which  was  now  added  to  continued  care 
of  the  Raisin  Institute.  Many  night  plans,  for  day  execu- 
tion, were  made.  I  soon  found  sale  for  forty  acres  of  the 
one  hundred  and  sixty,  which  relieved  me  of  the  most 
pressing  demands. 

At  times  responsibilities  were  so  great,  and  burdens  so 
crushing,  that  I  was  almost  ready  to  falter.  My  greatest 
anxiety  was  to  guide  my  dear  children  aright.  The  four 
older  ones  had  resolved  to  follow  the  dear  Redeemer,  but 
the  slippery  paths  of  youth  were  theirs  to  walk  in.  The 
consideration  of  these  multiform  cares  at  one  time  seemed 
of  crushing  weight.  I  questioned  whether  the  burden  I 
had  so  often  left  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  I  had  not  taken 
up  again,  and  whether  I  had  as  fully  consecrated  self, 
with  my  dear  children,  to  the  Lord  as  he  required.  I  was 
endeavoring  fully  to  yield  all  into  my  Redeemer's  hands 
for  safe-keeping.  This  was  my  constant  prayer,  yet  this 
heavy  burden  during  a  few  days  seemed  unfitting  me  for 
the  every-day  duties  devolving  upon  me.  In  family  devo- 
tion I  opened  to  the  fifty-fourth  chapter  of  Isaiah,  where 
I  found  precious  pi-omises  that  I  accepted  for  my  own,  and 
the  heavy  burden  for  my  children  was  uplifted.  Never 
did  I  experience  greater  liberty  in  prayer,  or  exercise  a 
stronger  faith.  Surely  the  silver  lining  to  this  cloud  ap- 
pears. "All  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord" 
were  precious  words.  I  was  afflicted  and  tossed  with  tem- 
pest, but  a  sweet  promise  followed.  All  the  way  through 
that  chapter  the  Comforter  appeared  with  rich  promises. 
With  these  before  me  I  could  freely  leave  all  my  burden 
with  the  Lord.  I  saw  by  the  eye  of  faith  all  my  seven 
children  made  acquainted  with  their  Creator  in  the  days 
of  their  youth.  Although  I  never  ceased  asking,  yet  there 
has  seemed  an  accompanying  assurance.  When  from  ten 
to  sixteen  years  of  age,  my  seven  children  yielded  by  liv- 


MARRIAGE    OF  TWO  CHILDREN.  51 

ing  experience  to  the  Savior's  loving  invitation,  "Come 
unto  me,"  that  hour  and  day  was  victorious  through 
faith.  That  weight  of  burden  never  again  returned.  The 
entire  yielding  all  into  the  care  and  keeping  power  of  Him 
who  doeth  all  things  well,  at  that  hour  was  complete.  I 
could  say,  "He  leadeth  me,"  without  a  shadow  of  doubt. 
As  fugitive-slaves  were  still  making  their  resting-place 
with  us,  I  hired  one  of  them,  named  George  Taylor,  a  few 
mouths  through  hay-making  and  harvest.  He  had  made 
his  escape  from  a  Southern  master  who  was  about  to  sell 
him  farther  south.  Once  before  he  had  made  an  unsuc- 
cessful attempt  at  freedom,  but  was  captured  and  placed 
in  irons,  until  they  made  deep  sores  around  his  ankles. 
As  he  appeared  very  submissive,  the  sorest  ankle  was  re- 
lieved. Being  so  badly  crippled,  he  was  thought  safe. 
But  supplying  himself  with  asafetida,  which  he  occasion- 
ally rubbed  over  the  soles  of  his  shoes,  to  elude  the  scent 
of  bloodhounds,  he  again  followed  the  north  star,  and 
finally  reached  our  home.  His  ankles  were  still  un healed. 
He  had  succeeded  in  breaking  the  iron  with  a  stone,  dur- 
ing the  first  and  second  days  of  his  hiding  in  the  woods. 
He  was  an  honest  Christian  man  of  the  Baptist  persuasion. 

MARRIAGE  OF  TWO  CHILDREN. 

On  June  6,  1846,  my  oldest  sou,  Harvey  S.,  was  mar- 
ried to  Huldah  West,  of  Adrian,  and  my  oldest  daughter, 
Esther  M. ,  was  at  the  same  hour  married  to  Almon  Cam- 
burn,  of  Franklin,  both  of  our  own  county.  The  mother's 
earnest  prayer  was,  that  these  children  might  prove  each 
other's  burden-sharers,  thereby  doubling  the  joys,  as  well 
as  dividing  the  sorrows,  of  life.  My  daughter's  husband 
was  one  of  our  students,  and  in  some  of  her  studies  a 
classmate. 

We  were  fortunate  in  again  securing  brother  Patchiu 
to  finish  the  academic  year  in  our  institution.  Though  the 
eloud  looked  dark  that  overhung  our  institution,  by  the 


52  A  WOMAN'S  MFK-WOKK. 

sudden  deaths  of  my  husband,  and  sister  Emily  Galpin, 
which  caused  her  bereaved  husband  to  leave  as  soon  as 
his  place  could  be  filled  by  a  successor,  we  had  the  con- 
sciousness that  our  school  was  taking  a  deep  hold  on  the 
minds  of  the  community  at  large,  as  well  as  exercising  a 
marked  influence  upon  the  young  people  who  wore  enjoy- 
ing its  privileges.  We  found  an  increasing  interest  in 
abolition  principles  throughout  our  community.  In  this 
we  praised  God  and  took  courage. 


AUNT    LUCY.  53 


CHAPTER  III. 

ANTI-SLAV ERY  EXPERIENCES. 

THIS  chapter  introduces  the  reader  to  representatives 
of  a  large  proportion  of  slave -owners  of  the  Southern 
States,  who  were  perverted  by  a  system  well-named  "the 
sum  of  all  villainies." 

Willis  Hamilton,  an  emancipated  slave,  the  hero  of  this 
narrative,  who  fled  to  Canada  with  his  slave  wife,  Elsie,  to 
seek  for  her  the  protection  of  the  British  lion  from  the  mer- 
ciless talons  of  the  freedom-shrieking  American  eagle,  was 
emancipated  three  years  previous  to  the  date  of  this  chap- 
ter, together  with  nineteen  others  (the  reputed  goods  and 
chattels  of  John  Bayliss,  a  Baptist  deacon,  near  Jones- 
borough,  Tennessee).  Slaveholder  though  he  was,  John 
Bayliss  evidently  thought  his  black  people  had  souls  as  well 
as  those  of  white  skins,  for  he  allowed  his  house  servants 
to  remain  in  the  .lining-room  during  evening  family  wor- 
ship, thus  giving  them  instruction  which,  as  the  sequel  will 
show,  made  the  slave  the  teacher  of  the  master;  for  one 
morning,  as  "Aunt  Lucy,"  an  old  and  privileged  servant, 
was  passing  through  his  room,  she  said: 

"  Massa  John,  I 's  bin  thinkin'  a  heap  o'  dat  ar  what 
you  read  in  the  Bible  t'  other  night." 

"Ah,  what's  that,  Aunt  Lucy?"  said  the  deacon. 

"  It  '$  to  do  oder  folks  as  you  'd  want  'em  to  do  to  you, 
or  somehow  dat  fashion.  I  tell  you,  Massa  John,  't  would 
be  mighty  hard  for  you  white  folks  to  work  great  many 
years  and  get  noffin'.  Den,  if  you  dies,  whar 'd  we  go  to? 
I  specks  we  'd  go  down  de  riber,  like  Jones's  poor  people 
did  las'  week." 


54  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  Well,  well,  Aunt  Lucy,  that  was  too  bad;  but  Joues 
was  in  debt,  and  I  suppose  they  had  to  be  sold." 

"  O  yes,  I  s'pose  so;  but  dat  you  read  in  de  Bible  sort 
o'  sticks  to  me — I  can  't  help  it,"  said  this  faithful  old 
mother  in  Israel,  as  she  went  out  to  her  work. 

In  a  moment  or  two  Mrs.  Bayliss  entered  the  room, 
and  the  deacon  said : 

"Wife,  what  kind  of  a  text  do  you  think  Aunt  Lucy 
has  just  given  me?" 

"Text?" 

"Yes,  text." 

"  What's  got  into  her  head  now?" 

"She  says  she's  been  thinking  about  what  I  read  in 
prayer-time  the  other  evening,  referring  to  the  golden  rule, 
and  that  it  sort  o'  sticks  to  her.  She  spoke  of  the  excite- 
ment over  Jones's  black  people  who  were  sent  down  the 
river  the  other  day;  and  I  tell  you,  the  way  she  applied 
her  text,  it  '  sort  o'  sticks '  to  me." 

"O  hush!"  indignantly  exclaimed  Mrs.  Bayliss.  "Aunt 
Lucy  's  mighty  religious,  and  has  so  many  notions  of  her 
own  she  's  not  worth  riiinding,  any  how." 

"  But  she  asked  me  what  would  become  of  my  black 
people  if  I  should  die,  and  if  I  thought  they  would  ever 
be  torn  apart  as  Jones's  were.  I  tell  you,  wife,  I  have 
witnessed  such  scenes  too  often  to  feel  right  in  risking  a 
contingency  of  that  kind,"  said  the  deacon,  gravely. 

"  Don't  be  a  fool,  now,  John  Bayliss,"  angrily  exclaimed 
his  wife,  "about  Aunt  Lucy's  fuss  over  Jones's  niggers." 

"  Well,"  said  the  deacon,  "  I  don't  wonder  at  her  feel- 
ing grieved ;  they  belonged  to  her  Church,  and  many  of 
them  were  her  relatives." 

Here,  for  the  time  being,  the  conversation  ended  ;  but 
the  soul  of  John  Bayliss,  awakened  by  the  simple,  straight- 
forward speech  of  his  bond-woman,  refused  to  be  quieted, 
and  he  made  this  the  subject  of  earnest  prayer  until  the 
path  of  duty  became  so  clear  before  him  that  he  could  not 


EI,SIE    HAMILTON.  OO 

do  otherwise  than  manumit  his  twenty  slaves,  although 
bitterly  opposed  by  his  wife  (who  refused  to  free  the  three 
held  in  her  own  right). 

Elsie,  the  wife  of  Willis  Hamilton,  belonged  to  a  neigh- 
boring planter.  She  was  sold  to  a  drover  for  the  Southern 
market,  and  was  being  torn  from  her  husband  and  two 
little  daughters.  Willis,  in  his  agony,  went  from  house  to 
house,  imploring  some  one  to  buy  her,  so  that  she  might 
remain  near  her  family.  Finally  one  Dr.  John  P.  Chester, 
who  was  about  opening  a  hotel,  agreed  to  purchase  Elsie 
for  $800,  if  Willis  would  pay  $300  in  work  in  the  house, 
and  fare  the  same  as  the  other  servants  in  board  and 
clothing.  With  these  conditions  Willis  gladly  complied ; 
but  after  they  had  spent  a  few  months  in  their  new  home 
Deacon  Bayliss  examined  their  article  of  agreement  and 
found  it  to  be  illegal.  He  told  Willis  that  Dr.  Chester 
could*  sell  Elsie  at  any  time,  and  he  could  establish  no 
claim  to  her,  even  had  he  paid  the  $300,  which,  at  the 
wages  he  was  receiving,  would  take  him  nearly  nine  years 
t*>  earn,  with  the  interest,  and  advised  him  to  leave  Dr. 
Chester  and  work  for  wages,  as  he  had  done  since  his 
manumission.  This  advice  was  immediately  acted  upon, 
Willis  being  permitted  to  spend  his  nights  with  his  wife. 
Every  thing  passed  off  pleasantly  for  a  few  weeks,  until 
one  of  the  house-servants  told  Elsie  that  she  overheard 
Master  John  sell  both  her  and  Willis  to  a  slave-trader, 
who  would  the  following  night  convey  them  to  the  river 
with  a  drove  ready  for  New  Orleans.  Frantic  as  the  poor 
woman  was  with  terror  and  grief  at  this  information,  she 
managed  to  perform  her  duties  as  usual  until  supper-time; 
and  when  all  were  seated  at  the  table  she  slipped  out  un- 
observed, ran  through  a  corn-field  into  the  woods,  sending 
word  to  Willis  by  a  fellow-servant  to  meet  her  at  a  certain 
log.  The  moment  Willis  received  the  message  he  hastened 
to  her  with  flying  feet;  and  here  the  wretched  husband 


56  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-WOUK. 

aiid  wife,  but  a  few  days  before  so  full  of  plans  for  a 
pleasant  future,  held  their  council  in  tears. 

Willis,  in  his  sudden  fright  and  excitement,  could  only 
exclaim:  "What  shall  we  do?  Where  shall  we  go?" 
Elsie,  cooler  and  more  composed,  suggested  going  to  Deacon 
Bayliss  for  advice.  This  Willis  quickly  did,  and  soon  re- 
turned, it  having  been  arranged  that  he  should  bring  Elsie 
there  and  secrete  her  in  the  attic  until  the  excitement  of 
the  hunt  was  over.  After  this  thej  assumed  the  names 
of  Bill  and  Jane,  a  brother  and  sister  who  answered  to 
their  own  description  of  color  and  size  on  Willis's  free 
papers — the  whole  list  of  the  twenty  slaves  emancipated  by 
Deacon  Bayliss  being  recorded  on  each  paper. 

After  five  weeks  hiding  at  the  southern  terminus  of  the 
"  Underground  Railroad,"  they  took  up  their  line  of  march 
for  Canada.  In  a  Quaker  settlement  in  Indiana  they  found 
friends  to  whom  they  revealed  their  true  relationship",  and 
here  they  spent  a  year  with  a  Quaker  family  named  Shu- 
gart.  But  the  slight  protection  afforded  by  the  laws  of 
Indiana  did  not  tend  to  give  them  a  feel  ing  of  security,  and 
so  they  started  again  for  tho  promised  land  with  their  infant 
daughter  Louisa.  On  this  journey  they  were  assisted  on 
their  way,  and  made  easy  and  comfortable  compared  with 
their  hasty  flight  from  Tennessee,  from  whence  they  walked 
with  swollen  and  blistered  feet,  and  every  nerve  strung  to 
its  utmost  tension  from  the  fear  of  pursuit  by  their  South- 
ern persecutors. 

As  times  were  hard  in  Canada,  Elsie  consented  to  come 
to  Michigan  with  her  husband  if  he  could  find  a  Quaker 
neighborhood.  In  their  search  they  found  our  house,  and 
my  husband,  Charles  Havilaud,  Jr.,  after  learning  their 
condition,  leased  Willis  twenty  acres  of  ground,  mostly 
openings,  for  ten  years,  for  the  improvements  he  would 
make  thereon.  Here  they  lived  for  three  years,  when  one 
day  Elsie  saw  a  strange  man  peering  through  the  fence. 


A    FRAUDULENT    LETTER.  57 

Her  first  thought  was  "a  Southerner,"  and  snatching  her 
two  little  ones  she  ran  for  our  house,  only  a  few  rods  distant. 
The  man  pursued  her,  and  she  called  for  help  to  a  neighbor 
in  sight,  at  which  the  skulking  sneak  took  himself  off  to 
the  woods.  This  incident  so  thoroughly  aroused  their  fears 
that  they  took  another  farm,  a  few  miles  distant,  for  three 
years ;  then  a  farm  near  Ypsilauti  for  a  few  years ;  from 
whence  they  removed  to  Monroe,  where  they  induced  a 
friend  to  write  to  Willis's  old  friend  and  master,  Deacon 
Bayliss,  making  inquiries  after  their  two  daughters,  who 
were  left  behind  in  slavery.  They  received  a  prompt  re- 
ply, purporting  to  come  from  Bayliss,  informing  them  that 
their  daughters  were  still  living  where  they  left  them.  He 
would  see  them,  he  said,  by  the  time  he  'received  their 
next  letter,  which  he  hoped  would  be  soon,  that  he  might 
be  the  happy  bearer  of  glad  news  to  the  children  from 
their  father  and  mother.  He  professed  great  joy  at  hear- 
ing from  them,  wished  them  to  write  all  the  particulars 
about  themselves,  but  cautioned  them  to  write  to  no  one 
but  him,  and  all  would  be  safe.  He  requested  them  to 
inform  him  in  what  town  they  were  living,  as  he  noticed 
their  letter  was  dated  in  one  town,  mailed  in  another,  and 
he  was  directed  to  address  them  in  a  third.  Their  friend, 
however,  strictly  cautioned  them  not  to  reveal  their  definite 
whereabouts,  but  to  answer  all  other  queries.  Willis  wrote 
that  as  his  farm  lease  had  expired  there,  he  would  have  to 
seek  another  farm,  and  did  not  know  where  he  would  be,  but  to 
address  a  letter  as  before  and  it  would  be  forwarded  to  him. 
Their  next  move  was  to  return  to  their  first  Michigan 
home  on  my  premises,  a  few  mouths  after  the  death  of  my 
husband,  taking  up  their  abode  in  the  little  log-house  built 
for  them  a  few  years  before,  and  working  my  land  on 
shares.  Another  letter  was  soon  received  from  their  friend 
Deacon  Bayliss,  as  they  supposed,  and  they  urged  me  to 
reply ;  but  I  firmly  refused  to  write  to  any  one  in  the  land 
of  the  slaveholder,  lest  the  message  should  fall  iuto  the 


58  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

hands  of  enemies,  and  advised  them  to  leave  their  daughters 
in  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  who  would  yet  provide  a  way 
of  deliverance  for  them  as  he  had  for  their  parents.  In 
their  great  anxiety,  however,  to  hear  from  their  children, 
from  whom  they  had  been  separated  so  many  years,  their 
plea  was  strong  and  persistent;  but  I  remained  immovable 
to  all  their  entreaties,  and  told  them  of  a  slave  family, 
who,  after  living  twenty  years  in  Indiana,  had  but  recently 
been  captured  and  returned  to  hopeless  bondage.  Upon 
this  they  yielded  to  mo  for  the  .time  being,  but  in  a  few 
weeks  came  agrin  with  pleadings  made  eloquent  by  suffer- 
ing. As  they  had  felt  the  vice-like  grip  of  the  }>eciiliar 
system  on  their  own  hearts  and  lives,  they  realized  too 
keenly  the  fate  that  might  any  time  overtake  their 
daughters.  But  I  still  resisted  all  their  entreaties,  and  in 
a  few  days  after  they  applied  to  J.  F.  Dolbeare,  one 
of  the  trustees  of  Raisin  Institute,  who,  thinking  there 
was  no  danger,  Avrote  all  they  desired,  telling  the  sup- 
posed Deacon  Bayliss  all  their  past  life  in  the  free  States 
and  all  their  plans  for  the  future.  This  they  kept  from 
me  for  a  time,  but  Elsie's  heart  refused  to  be  quieted,  and 
she  finally  told  me  about  it,  first  telling  her  husband  she 
believed  it  their  duty.  "For, "she  says,  "I  have  thought 
more  about  it  since  Aunt  Laura  told  me  she  dreamed  of 
three  poisonous  green  vipers  which  she  poked  so  near  the 
fire  that  their  sacks  were  burned  to  a  crisp  and  the  poison 
all  ran  out,  so  that  she  thought  them  powerless  for  harm, 
but  they  still  kept  their  threatening  attitude;  and  who 
knows  but  these  vipers  may  be  slaveholders?"  Willis  said 
he  had  felt  like  telling  me  all  the  Avhile,  and  both  came  to 
me  with  their  story. 

I  much  regretted  this  unwise  step,  but  forbore  all  criti- 
cism, and  told  them  we  would  hope  for  the  best.  A  few 
days  after  a  stranger  appeared  at  our  gate  and  inquired  for 
a  stray  horse,  which  he  said  left  him  at  Tecumseh.  None 
having  been  seen  he  made  similar  inquiries  at  Hamilton's. 


MISHAP    TO    SLAVE-HUNTERS.  59 

He  also  asked  for  a  glass  of  water,  and  while  receiving  it, 
says  to  Elsie:  "Auntie,  where  does  this  road  lead  to,  that 
crosses  the  river  east?"  "To  Palmyra,"  she  replied,  and 
frightened  at  being  addressed  as  "Auntie,"  in  the  Southern 
style,  hastened  into  her  house. 

The  second  night  after  this,  at  eleven  o'clock,  a  car- 
riage drove  up  to  a  log-house  on  one  of  the  cross  roads, 
and  three  men  appeared  simultaneously,  two  at  the  front 
and  one  at  the  rear  window,  but  quickly  disappeared. 
They  had  evidently  mistaken  their  place,  as  it  was  a  white 
family  up  with  a  sick  child.  It  was  a  dark  night,  and 
there  was  a  dugway  ten  feet  deep  perpendicular,  near  the 
fence  to  which  their  team  was  hitched,  which  the  valiant 
and  mysterious  trio  did  not  discover,  and  Avheu  they  re- 
entered  their  carriage  and  attempted  to  turn  around  they 
tumbled  into  it,  horses,  carriage,  and  all.  This  little  inci- 
dent so  disarranged  their  plans  that  they  were  until  day- 
light returning  to  Adrian  (only  six  miles  distant),  with 
their  broken  trappings  and  bruised  horses.  They  told  the 
liveryman,  Mr.  Hurlburt,  that  their  horses  took  fright  and 
ran  off  a  steep  bank,  and  begged  him  to  fix  the  damages 
as  low  as  possible,  as  they  were  from  home,  belated,  etc. 
Mr.  Hurlburt  assessed  them  thirty  dollars;  but  he  after- 
wards said,  had  he  known  their  business  he  would  have 
doubled  it. 

Three  days  after  this  fortunate  mishap  Willis  Hamilton 
received  a  letter  inclosing  three  dollars,  purporting  to  be 
from  John  Bayliss,  who  had  come  up  into  Ohio  on  busi- 
ness, and  was  on  his  way  to  visit  them  when  he  was  sud- 
denly taken  very  ill,  and  was  pronounced  by  the  physi- 
cians in  a  critical  condition — in  fact,  they  gave  him 
but  little  encouragement  for  recovery,  and  he  desired 
Willis  to  come  and  visit  him,  and  bring  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, as  he  might  want  him  for  two  weeks.  He  closed  by 
saying : 

"Whether  I  get  better  or  die,  I  am  resigned,  and  can 


60  A  WOMAN'S  LJFE-WORK. 

say  the   Lord's  will   be  done.     I  shall  have  every  train 
watched  until  you  come.     God  bless  you. 

"  Respectfully  yours,  JOHN  BAYJ.ISS." 

Of  course  I  was  given  this  letter  to  read,  and  I  sug- 
gested the  utmost  caution  in  obeying  this  request,  for,  as 
the  old  rat  in  the  fable  said,  there  might  be  "  concealed 
mischief  in  this  heap  of  meal."  I  called  for  the  other  two 
letters,  and  found  they  were  written  by  the  same  hand. 
Willis  says:  "Oh!  I  know  the  old  boss  too  well;  he's 
true  as  steel ;  he  won't  have  anything  to  do  with  trap 
business.  Besides,  I  've  got  my  free  papers,  and  I  'm  not 
afraid  to  go,  but  I  wont  take  my  wife  and  children."  I 
proposed  that  Mr.  Dolbeare  or  some  neighbor  go  with  him. 
That  pleased  him,  but  Mr.  Dolbeare  could  not  go.  As 
my  son  Daniel  and  I  were  going  to*  Adrian,  I  proposed  to 
get  either  Mr.  Backus  or  Mr.  Peters,  both  strong  anti- 
slavery  friends  in  the  city,  to  accompany  him  to  Toledo. 
As  we  were  about  starting,  Joseph  Gibbons,  a  neighbor, 
came  with  the  suggestion  that  Willis  remain  at  home,  and 
James  Martin,  who  was  about  his  color  and  size,  go  in  his 
stead  ;  as  Gibbons  agreed  with  me  in  believing  there  was 
a  deep  laid  plot.  To  this  all  parties  agreed,  and  Willis 
gave  me  the  letter  and  the  three  dollars  towards  the  fare 
of  whoever  should  go  with  James,  who'  was  an  intelligent 
young  colored  man  in  our  institution.  Everything  being 
in  readiness  we  now  started  for  Adrian,  where  we  arrived 
just  in  time  to  jump  on  board  the  train,  and  consequently 
had  no  leisure  to  seek  out  and  make  the  proposed  arrange- 
ments with  our  above  mentioned  friends,  but  sent  word 
back  to  Willis  that  we  would  return  the  following  morning. 

.  Once  fairly  settled  on  our  journey  the  responsibility  so 
suddenly  thrust  upon  me  made  me  cry  out  in  my  heart 
for  wisdom  beyond  my  own,  and  I  prayed  for  a  guiding 
hand  to  direct  our  actions  in  case  we  should  find  ourselves 
in  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  face  to  face  with  traffickers  in 
human  souls  and  bodies,  who  considered  no  scheme  too 


ARRIVAL   AT   TOLEDO.  Gl 

vile  or  desperate  for  them  to  undertake,  the  success  of 
which  would  iu  any  way  subserve  their  own  interests. 

We  arrived  at  Toledo  at  7  P.  M.,  and  as  we  left  the 
cars  James  was  addressed  by  a  man  with  the  question  : 
"Is  your  name  Willis  Hamilton?"  (and  without  waiting 
for  a  reply),  "  Is  your  wife  with  you?" 

"  No,  sir,"  said  James. 

"  Perhaps  I  am  mistaken,"  said  the  questioner,  who 
was  the  porter  of  the  Toledo  hotel. 

"Who  do  you  wish  to  see?"  said  James. 

"Willis  Hamilton  is  the  man  I  am  sent  for,  by  his  old 
friend  John  Bayliss,  who  is  at  the  Toledo  hotel,  so  ill  that 
he  is  not  expected  to  live." 

"Where  is  this  Mr.  Bayliss  from?"  said  James. 

"Tennessee,  I  believe." 

"  Very  well,  if  there  is  such  a  man  here  I  want  to  see 
him." 

"Come  with  me,  and  I'll  take  you  to  his  room,"  said 
the  porter. 

While  this  conversation  was  passing  between  the  porter 
and  James  we  were  following  in  the  rear,  but  apparently 
paying  no  attention  to  them.  Our  plan  was  for  Daniel  to 
keep  James  in  sight  if  possible,  and  whatever  he  heard  of 
the  sick  man  to  report  to  me  in  the  parlor.  We  entered 
the  hotel  nearly  together.  I  was  shown  into  the  parlor 
and  James  was  taken  up  a  flight  of  stairs  from  the  bar- 
room. Daniel  was  following,  when  the  porter  told  him 
the  bar-room  for  gentlemen  was  below.  He  said,  "I  am 
taking  this  man  to  see  a  friend  of  his  who  is  very  sick, 
and  no  strangers  are  allowed  to  enter  the  room."  Of 
course,  my  son  could  do  nothing  but  return,  so  no  further 
observations  could  be  taken  by  us  until  the  reappearance 
of  James.  For  two  long  hours  we  neither  saw  nor  heard 
anything  of  him,  and  becoming  very  anxious  and  restless 
I  told  Daniel  to  ask  for  James  Martin,  as  he  had  business 
with  him.  Twice  he  made  this  request,  but  the  porter 


62  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

only  said,  "Yes,  yes,  you  shall  see  him  iu  a  minute,"  and 
dodged  from  room  to  room  to  keep  out  of  sight. 

Growing  desperate,  I  finally  told  my  son  to  tell  the 
porter  "  if  that  young  colored  man  is  not  forthcoming  at 
once,  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus  will  be  served  on  him  in  fif- 
teen minutes,  as  we  must  see  him  immediately.  Also  tell 
Mr.  Woodward,  the  proprietor,  that  your  mother  is  here 
with  a  message  for  Mr.  John  Bayliss,  who  we  understand 
is  very  ill  at  this  house."  Mr.  Woodward  instantly  sum- 
moned the  porter,  and  we  heard  him  say  in  an  excited 
undertone:  "  There 's  trouble  ahead  unless  that  young  black 
fellow  comes  down  immediately  ;  tell  them  to  send  him 
down  at  once."  In  a  moment  the  porter,  three  gentlemen, 
and  James  made  their  appearance,  evidently  to  the  sur- 
prise of  twenty  half  drunken  Irishmen  who  had  been  chat- 
tering all  the  evening,  but  were  now  so  still  you  could 
have  heard  a  pin  drop,  to  see  Hamilton  (as  the  sequel 
shows  they  supposed)  brought  down  so  publicly  and  with- 
out fetters.  It  afterwards  transpired  that  Willis  Hamil- 
ton, upon  coming  down  stairs,  was  to  have  been  put  into 
a  close  carriage,  sent  away,  and  his  family  then  sent  for 
under  the  plea  that  he  was  detained  with  his  sick  friend, 
and  this  was  the  intelligent  crowd  who  were  to  aid  in  the 
success  of  the  plan. 

I  had  seen  a  curriuge  stand  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes 
at  the  bar-room  door  and  finally  leave  without  a  passenger, 
and  Daniel  saw  the  same  carriage  at  the  rear  door  equally 
long,  which  also  left  there  empty.  Upon  coming  down 
James  Martin  evidently  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance, 
for,  giving  my  son  a  pinch,  he  said:  "Mr.  Haviland,  let 
us  go  into  the  dining-room  and  call  for  supper."  This  was 
to  give  the  drunken  rabble  time  to  leave  so  that  he  could 
relate  his  adventures  with  the  Southerners  after  supper. 
But  by  this  time  the  porter  came  to  me  to  inquire  if  I 
wished  to  see  Mr.  Bayliss,  the  sick  man.  I  replied  in  the 
affirmative,  upon  which  he  said:  "He  is  very  low;  no 


INTERVIEW    WITH    "THE    DOCTOR."  63 

stranger  has  been  allowed  to  enter  his  room  for  three  days, 
but  his  doctor  is  here.  Would  you  like  to  see  him?"  "I 
would,"  I  replied.  A  tall  gentleman  now  entered  the 
room  and  addressed  me:  "Madam,  are  you  the  lady  who 
wished  to  see  me?"  "  I  am,  if  you  are  the  physician  who 
has  charge  of  John  Bayliss  of  Tennessee,  who  we  learn  is 
very  ill,  by  a  letter  which  Willis  Hamilton  received  yes- 
terday." 

"  I  am  Dr.  Taylor  of  this  city,  and  have  the  case  of 
Mr.  Bayliss  in  my  care.  His  son-in-law  is  here  taking 
care  of  him,  and  they  are  all  greatly  disappointed  at  not 
seeing  Hamilton  this  evening,  as  Mr.  Bayliss  has  sent  for 
him  and  his  family,  and  they  can  not  imagine  why  he 
does  not  come." 

"Well,  I  can  tell  you  why.  We  feared  a  trap,  as 
Willis's  wife  was  formerly  a  slave." 

"I  don't  see,"  said  the  doctor,  "how  you  could  sus- 
pect any  thing  wrong  in  that  letter,  as  I  understand  they 
have  written  them  before,  and  you  should  have  compared 
the  letters  to  see  if  they  were  written  by  the  same  person." 

"  We  did  so,  and  found  they  were  written  by  the  same 
person.  But  there  are  other  points  to  consider :  1st,  John 
Bayliss  stands  somewhat  in  the  relation  of  a  slaveholder, 
as  in  a  former  letter  he  spoke  of  three  aged  slaves  living 
with  him,  and  wished  Hamilton  and  wife  to  stay  with  him 
two  weeks  if  he  lived,  which  was  doubtful,  and  wished 
them  to  be  sure  and  bring  their  children,  though  we  all 
know  that  four  little  noisy  children  are  not  agreeable  com- 
panions in  a  sick-room." 

Here  my  learned  doctor  gave  his  head  a  vigorous 
scratch,  and  said:  "Well,  madam,  Mr.  Bayliss  is  probably 
childish  from  age,  and  his  severe  illness  makes  him  more 
so.  A  nervous  temperament  like  his,  affected  by  disease, 
often  enfeebles  the  mind,  as  body  and  mind  are  in  close 
relationship  philosophically.  Now,  he  is  just  childish  enough 
to  want  to  see  those  children  playing  around  his  room,  and 


64  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

he  says  he  would  make  them  handsome  presents ;  and  as 
money  seems  to  be  plenty  with  him  and  apparently  no 
object,  I  judge  they  would  be  well  paid  for  coming." 

I  did  not  appear  to  question  this  view  of  the  case,  but 
inquired  how  long  Deacon  Bayliss  had  been  ill. 

"About  seven  days,  madam,"  replied  the  doctor. 

"  What  seems  to  be  the  nature  of  the  disease?" 

"  It  was  at  first  a  violent  attack  of  bilious  fever,  but 
for  the  last  three  days  it  has  assumed  a  fearful  form  of 
typhus." 

I  told  him  that  Hamilton  and  his  wife  were  both  very 
anxious  about  their  old  friend,  and  wished  me  to  see  him 
personally,  and  give  him  their  reasons  for  not  coming. 

"I  should  be  glad,"  said  the  doctor,  "to  allow  you  to 
see  him,  were  it  not  for  his  extreme  nervousness,  but  I 
dare  not  risk  it.  It  seems  hard  to  think  the  dying  request 
of  this  poor  old  man  can  not  be  granted.  He  seems  to 
consider  this  family  almost  next  to  his  own." 

"Yes,"  I  said,  "  it  is  also  hard  and  humiliating  to  hu- 
mane and  patriotic  Americans  that  a  system  of  human 
bondage  exists  in  this  country  which  causes  these  horrible 
fears  and  suspicions  to  loom  up  like  specters  before  the 
mental  vision  of  this  persecuted  and  down-trodden  race." 

"That  is  very  true,"  said  Dr.  Taylor;  "slavery  is  the 
darkest  spot  on  our  national  escutcheon.  But  in  this  case 
there  is  no  cause  for  suspicion ;  for  I  am  sure  there  is  no 
plot  with  regard  to  the  Hamilton  family,  and  I  call  God 
to  witness  that  every  word  I  tell  you  is  truth.  As  to  the 
three  slaves  you  spoke  of,  he  told  me  during  the  first  of 
his  sickness  that  he  emancipated  all  his  slaves,  twenty  in 
number,  but  that  his  wife  had  three  in  her  right,  which 
she  refused  to  free,  and  these  have  always  remained  in  the 
family.  He  manumitted  his  slaves  from  purely  conscien- 
tious scruples ;  and  I  believe  that  if  there  is  a  Christian 
that  walks  God's  earth  he  is  one,  for  he  has  manifested 
such  patience  and  resignation  during  his  severe  illness 


"THE  DOCTOR'S"  OPINION.  65 

that  he  has  entirely  won  my  affections.  Now,  do  n't  you 
think  you  can  induce  Hamilton  to  bring  his  family  here? 
I  do  not  believe  he  will  live  three  days." 

"I  will  be  honest  with  you,"  I  replied.  "Although 
you  have  talked  like  a  candid  man,  I  do  not  believe  I 
could  transfer  sufficient  confidence  to  the  family  to  induce 
them  to  come  unless  I  should  see  him,  as  they  charged 
me  over  and  again." 

At  this  my  tender-hearted  -flSsculapius  sighed  deeply, 
and  said :  "I  am  sorry  that  they  or  their  friends  should 
entertain  any  distrust,  as  I  fear  he  may  not  be  conscious 
two  days  longer.  A  council  of  physicians  was  called  this 
afternoon,  and  three  out  of  the  four  gave  it  as  their  opin- 
ion that  he  could  not  survive,  at  the  longest,  beyond  three 
days;  and  I  believe  him  liable  to  drop  away  within 
twenty-four  hours,  although  it  is  barely  possible  he  may 
live  a  week." 

"Well,"  I  replied,  "one  cause  of  suspicion,  both  with 
my  neighbors  and  myself  was  that,  although  the  letters 
from  John  Bayliss  were  all  written  by  the  same  hand,  the 
last  one  was  equally  well  written  as  the  others,  although 
he  was  represented  as  so  very  low,  with  little  hope  of 
recovery." 

Here  my  ready-tongued  doctor  very  thoughtfully  placed 
his  hand  to  his  forehead,  but  in  a  moment  replied:  "I  wil 
tell  you   how   that  was.     His  fever  was  off  at  the  tinu 
which  enabled  him  to  carry  a  steady  hand." 

"  Well,  of  course,"  I  replied,  "  we  do  not  know  that 
any  plan  exists  to  remand  these  people  back  to  slavery, 
but  we  only  judged  of  the  possibilities.  And  for  my  part 
I  do  not  believe  in  regarding  the  wicked  enactments  of 
men  which  contravene  the  laws  of  eternal  right  given  by 
God,  who  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  who  dwell  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth,  and  of  Christ,  who  left  the  realms 
of  glory  to  bring  blessings  to  mankind,  and  a  part  of  whose 
mission  was  to  unloose  the  heavy  burdens  and  let  the  op- 


66  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

pressed  go  free.  And  in  view  of  the  golden  rule  given 
by  the  great  Lawgiver,  I  would  not  for  my  right  hand 
become  instrumental  in  returning  one  escaped  slave  to 
bondage.  I  firmly  believe  in  our  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, that  all  men  are  created  free  and  equal,  and  that  no 
human  being  has  a  right  to  make  merchandise  of  others 
born  in  humbler  stations,  and  place  them  on  a  level  with 
horses,  cattle,  and  sheep,  knocking  them  off  the  auction- 
block  to  the  highest  bidder,  sundering  family  ties,  and  out- 
raging the  purest  and  tenderest  feelings  of  human  nature." 

"  That  is  all  right,"  said  the  doctor,  "and  I  understand 
your  feelings.  Slavery  is  the  greatest  curse  upon  our  oth- 
erwise happy  country.  But  in  this  case  there  need  be  no 
fear  of  any  conspiracy  to  injure  your  colored  friends  ;  and 
I  did  hope,  for  the  sake  of  Mr.  Bayliss,  they  would  come 
and  visit  him,  and  gratify  his  dying  request." 

He  then  gave  me  some  of  the  alarming  symptoms  of 
his  patient,  enlarged  on  the  sympathy  he  felt  for  him,  and 
finally  proposed  to  go  up  and  consult  with  his  sOu-in-law 
on  the  propriety  of  allowing  me  to  see  him  in  his  present 
exceedingly  nervous  state.  He  said  if  he  was  not  spoken 
to  perhaps  I  might  be  allowed  to  look  at  him,  as  he  was 
kept  under  the  influence  of  opiates,  and  was  to-night  in  a 
heavy  stupor,  and  not  disposed  to  talk  to  any  one. 

"  Would  such  an  arrangement  be  any  satisfaction  to 
you?" 

I  replied  that,  while  it  was  immaterial  to  me,  it  would 
probably  satisfy  the  Hamilton  family;  and,  after  a  few 
minutes'  consultation  in  the  sick-room,  he  returned  with 
the  conclusion  that  I  might  enter  the  room,  but  that  no 
loud  word  must  be  spoken,  nor  the  sound  of  a  footfall 
permitted. 

"  But  you  can  not  see  his  face,  as  it  is  covered  with 
cloths  wet  in  vinegar  to  draw  the  fever  out,  and  he  is  now 
in  a  doze,  and  I  do  not  wish  to  disturb  him." 

He  then  described  the  terrible  paroxysms,  bordering  on 


SEEING  THE  PATIENT.  67 

spasms,  suffered  by  his  patient,  in  which  it  took  four  men 
to  hold  him,  and  was  eulogizing  his  wonderful  fortitude 
and  Christian  patience,  when  the  son-in-law  suddenly  came 
rushing  into  the  room  in  his  shirt-sleeves  and  stocking-feet, 
and  exclaimed : 

"Doctor,  doctor,  do  come  quick;  father's  got  another 
spasm,  and  I  do  n't  know  what  to  do." 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  the  doctor,  "I'll  come;  don't  leave 
your  father  a  moment;"  and  jumped  up,  apparently  in 
great  excitement.  But  at  the  door  he  halted  to  tell  me 
that  these  spasms  indicated  mortification,  when  the  son-in- 
law  again  opened  the  door  with  a  bang  and  the  exclamation : 

"Doctor,  why  don't  you  hurry?  Father  is  vomiting 
again,  and  I  'm  afraid  he  is  dying." 

At  this  they  both  rushed  frantically  up  stairs.  In  about 
fifteen  minutes  the  doctor  returned,  saying  he  had  given 
his  patient  a  double  dose  of  an  opiate,  and  would  let  him 
rest  awhile.  He  then  launched  out  into  a  description  of 
his  treatment  of  Mr.  Bayliss;  how  he  had  blistered  him, 
and  performed  a  surgical  operation  on  him  which  had 
given  him  great  pain ;  said  he  was  attending  him  to  the 
neglect  of  his  other  patients,  and  after  exhausting  a 
large  amount  of  eloquence  on  the  subject  returned  to  the 
sick  chamber.  In  a  few  moments  he  came  back  with  the 
information  that  I  could  now  be  admitted,  and  conducted 
me  to  the  room. 

As  soon  as  we  stepped  within  the  door  the  doctor 
halted,  but  I  stepped  to  the  center  of  the  room,  as  if  I 
had  forgotten  that  I  was  only  just  to  enter,  and  gazed  at 
the  bed  and  then  at  the  lounge  opposite.  The  doctor 
stepped  to  my  side  and  said,  "That  is  he  on  the  bed  yon- 
der." I  stood  a  moment  and  took  a  mental  inventory  of 
the  sick  man,  who  appeared  full  six  feet  tall  and  very 
slender,  not  at  all  answering  to  the  description  of  the 
short,  heavily  built  John  Bayliss,  of  two  hundred  pounds 
avoirdupois.  Of  course,  a  fit  of  sickness  might  reduce  a 


68  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

mail's  flesh,  but  it  did  riot  appear  to  me  as  especially  likely 
to  increase  his  height.  As  his  face  was  covered  with  \vet 
cloths  I  could  not  see  the  round  physiognomy  of  John 
Bayliss,  but  passing  my  hand  over  the  face  I  found  it  long 
and  thin  featured.  I  whispered  to  the  doctor  that  I 
would  like  to  notice  his  pulse.  He  said  I  could  do  so  on 
the  jugular  vein.  I  did  so,  and  found  the  skin  of  this 
fever-stricken  man  to  be  the  natural  temperature,  but  I 
whispered  to  the  doctor  that  I  was  not  so  accustomed  to 
noticing  the  pulse  in  that  locality  as  at  the  wrist.  After 
some  resistance  by  the  sick  man,  who  finally  yielded  with 
a  long  undertone  groan,  I  found  his  wrist,  and  the  full, 
strong,  regular  pulse  of  a  well  man.  There  was  now  no 
doubt  in  my  mind  that  I  was  alone  at  this  midnight  hour, 
far  from  home,  in  a  room  with  three  slaveholders. 

As  I  stepped  from  the  bed  the  doctor  asked  me  if  I 
was  satisfied.  The  thought  flashed  through  my  mind  that 
I  had  always  contended  that  deception  was  lying,  and  that 
no  circumstances  could  justify  it.  But  other  thoughts  also 
came,  and  I  replied  that  I  was  satisfied. 

At  this  the  son-in-law,  who  had  apparently  been  sleep- 
ing on  the  lounge,  roused  himself  and  commenced  rubbing 
his  eyes,  and  looking  at  the  doctor,  said,  "Oh,  doctor,  do 
you  think  father  is  any  better?" 

"I  can  not  conscientiously  give  you  any  hope,"  replied 
the  doctor. 

"Oh,  dear!"  he  exclaimed,  "what  shall  I  do?  I  am 
almost  sick  myself,  taking  care  of  him  day  and  night.  If 
I  had  only  known  that  they  were  near  Tecumseh,  where  I 
lost  my  horse,  I  would  have  seen  them ;  but  I  hoped  to 
have  found  him  better  when  I  returned,  instead  of  which 
he  was  much  worse." 

At  this  I  stepped  towards  him,  and  said:  "If  you  are 
the  gentleman  who  was  inquiring  for  a  horse  in  our  neigh- 
borhood a  few  days  ago,  you  called  at  Hamilton's  house 
and  asked  for  a  drink  of  water." 


SENDING    A    LETTKR.  69 

"What,  that  place  where  a  black  woman  brought  me 
a  glass  of  water  ?" 

"Yes;  that  was  Hamilton's  wife.'' 

"  Is  it  possible !  that  little  log  house  where  there  was  a 
pile  of  pumpkins  in  the  yard  ?" 

"Yes,"  I  said. 

"Oh!  if  I  had  only  known  it,"  he  exclaimed,  "\ve 
would  have  had  them  here  to  help  us.  What  trouble  we 
have  had.  I  reckon  father  will  die,  and  I  shall  have  to  go 
home  alone.  God  knows  we  have  had  a  bad  trip  of  it.'' 

The  careful  doctor  now  began  to  fear  we  would  disturb 
the  patient,  and  we  were  about  leaving  the  room  when  he 
suddenly  exclaimed,  "I  want  you  to  see  what  black  bilious 
matter  Mr.  Bayliss  vomited  a  while  ago;"  and,  stepping 
back,  he  brought  me  a  white  bowl  two-thirds  full  of  what 
might  have  been  the  contents  of  a  coffee-pot,  with  a  bottle 
of  black  ink  thrown  in,  and  a  few  spittles  floating  on  top. 
This,  he  told  me,  indicated  mortification.  We  now  passed 
into  the  parlor,  where  we  could  talk  without  disturbing 
the  patient.  "Now,  madam,"  as  you  are  fully  satisfied 
with  regard  to  Mr.  Bayliss's  illness,  can 't  you  do  something 
to  get  the  Hamiltons  here  ?" 

"I  am  willing,"  I  replied,  "to  do  all  in  my  power,  but 
see  no  better  way  than  to  inform  them  of  the  state  of  af- 
fairs upon  my  return,  and  the  train  will  leave  for  Adrian 
at  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning."  The  doctor  went  up 
stairs  to  see  what  word  they  wished  to  send,  and  soon  re- 
turned with  the  request  that  I  should  write  to  Hamilton  to 
come  immediately,  and  the  porter  would  go  with  the  letter 
for  ten  dollars,  and  his  father  would  send  another  ten  dollars 
to  Willis.  I  still  insisted  that  my  original  plan  was  the 
best,  as  the  road  through  the  cottouwood  swamp  was 
almost  impassable. 

The  son-in-law  now  entered,  and  after  walking  across 
the  floor  a  few  times,  with  sighs  and  groans  and  bemoaning 
his  dire  calamities,  said  his  father  wished  the  letter  written. 


70  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

He  returned  to  his  father  and  the  doctor  went  for  writing 
material.  They  closed  the  door  behind  them  for  a  consul- 
tation, I  supposed. 

The  reader  will  remember  that  during  all  this  time  I 
knew  nothing  of  the  experience  of  James  Martin  with  this 
afflicted  trio,  but  had  been  compelled  to  grope  my  way 
blindly.  As  the  doctor  and  son-in-law  went  out  my  sou 
came  in.  He  had  overheard  something  about  the  writing, 
and  said,  excitedly:  "Don't  write,  mother;  there  is  no  sick 
man  here.  That  tall  man  is  Elsie's  master,  and  they 
threatened  James's  life  when  they  had  him  up  stairs." 

"Daniel,  I  know  there  is  no  sick  man  here,"  I  said; 
"  but  they  do  not  think  I  dream  of  any  plot.  It  is  now 
midnight,  and  it  is  not  wise  to  let  them  know  that  we  dis- 
trust them.  -  Sit  down  and  let  us  talk  naturally." 

The  doctor  now  returned  with  writing  material,  and  I 
sat  down  to  write  while  he  conversed  with  my  son  on  the 
weather  and  kindred  topics.  Now  my  intention  in  writing 
to  Hamilton  was  to  serve  these  slaveholders  by  defeating 
them.  I  knew,  too,  that  disguising  my  hand-writing  was 
not  enough  to  reveal  to  the  Hamilton's  that  the  letter  was 
a  sham,  and  whatever  I  wrote  would  be  subjected  to  the 
perusal  of  my  employers  before  it  was  sent.  At  this  hour, 
too,  a  messenger  could  not  probably  be  secured,  even  for 
twenty  dollars.  But  as  I  seated  myself  at  the  table  and 
took  my  pen  in  the  manner  in  which  I  could  appear  to 
serve  the  slaveholders,  but  in  reality  defeat  them,  it  came 
to  me  like  a  flash,  and  I  cheerfully  wrote  all  they  dic- 
tated, not  omitting  the  fact  (?)  that  a  council  of  physi- 
cians had  decided  that  John  Bayliss  could  not  live  to 
exceed  three  days ;  and  after  handing  it  to  the  doctor  and 
son-in-law  to  read,  I  requested  permission  to  add  a  few 
lines  on  my  own  responsibility,  which  was  readily  granted,  as 
I  explained  to  them  that  Elsie  would  not  be  prepared  with 
regard  to  clothing,  either  for  herself  or  children,  to  be  away 
so  long,  and  I  could  easily  loan  her  sufficient  garments. 


JAMES  MARTIN'S  STORY.  71 

This,  of  course,  was  as  happy  a  thought  for  them  as 
for  myself,  aud  was  so  received.  "  Indeed,  madam,"  said 
the  son-in-law,  "  that  will  be  very  kind  in  you.  They  can 
get  ready  so^much  quicker."  So  I  added  to  my  letter  to 
Willis  as  follows :  "  Tell  Elsie  to  take  for  herself  the  black 
alpaca  dress  in  the  south  bed-room,  and  the  two  pink 
gingham  aprons  and  striped  flannel  dresses  in  the  bureau 
in  the  west  room  for  the  little  girls.  To  come  to  Adrian, 
take  the  double  team  and  farm  wagon."  I  signed  my 
name  and  handed  the  letter  to  the  delighted  stranger.  He 
then  gave  my  son  a  lighted  sperm  candle  to  light  us  over 
to  the  Indiana  House,  at  that  time  the  best  hotel  in  Toledo, 
and  kept  by  Salter  Cleveland  and  wife,  anti-slavery  friends 
of  ours.  This  light,  however,  served  them  to  follow  us, 
as  well  asguide  us  to  our  haven  of  safety. 

After  settling  ourselves  with  our  friends  to  tell  our  ad- 
ventures I  had  a  chance  to  hear  James  Martin's  story. 
After  the  failure  of  my  son  to  follow  James  and  the  porter 
up  stairs,  James  was  of  course  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  At  the  head  of  the  stairs  they  were  met  by  an 
elderly  gentleman  with  a  lamp,  who  offered  to  conduct 
James  to  the  sick  room,  and  he  was  told  to  enter  the  first 
right  hand  door.  On  opening  the  door  he  found  no  one 
indside.  "  Oh,"  said  his  guide,  "  they  have  moved  him  to 
the  next  room,  as  was  suggested  by  the  council  of  physi- 
cians this  afternoon ;  we  will  find  him  there ; "  and  opening 
the  door  the  stranger  assumed  an  attitude  of  command 
and  told  him  to  go  in.  James,  however,  replied:  "I  shall 
not  go  in,  sir;  you  can  see  as  well  as  I  that  the  room  is 
empty."  The  stranger  gave  a  surprised  look  at  the  interior 
of  the  room  and  said:  "Oh,  I  guess  they  moved  him  to 
the  farther  room,  as  some  one  suggested,  after  all.  As 
there  is  no  other  room  he  can  be  in,  you  will  certainly 
find  him  there." 

By  this  time,  of  course,  James  began  thoroughly  to 
distrust  his  conductor,  and  hesitated  about  going  farther ; 


72  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

but  desiring  to  make  all  the  discoveries  possible,  and  think- 
ing if  violence  was  attempted  he  could  run  down  stairs  to 
us,  he  passed  on  to  the  third  door,  and  throwing  it  wide 
open  found  this  room  also  empty.  He  was  about  turning 
back  when  two  other  men  suddenly  appeared  through  a 
door  at  the  left,  and  the  three  surrounded  him,  one  level 
ing  a  revolver  at  his  head,  another  at  his  breast,  and  the 
third  pointing  a  dirk  at  his  side,  all  indulging  in  an  in 
discriminate  volley  of  oaths  and  threats.  Said  his  grey- 
haired  guide  (who  afterwards  proved  to  be  John  P.  Ches- 
ter, Elsie's  master,  the  same  who  had  enacted  to  me  the 
role  of  the  sympathetic  physician),  "  If  you  stir  or  speak 
one  word  we  '11  kill  you.  Go  into  that  room,  or  you  're  a 
dead  man."  In  this  position  they  entered  the  room  and  locked 
the  door.  "  Now,  Hamilton,  we  've  got  you,  damn  you." 

"My  name  is  not  Hamilton,  but  James  Martin,"  was 
James'  reply. 

"Damn  you,"  rejoined  Chester,  "I  know  you;  you 
were  once  a  slave  in  Tennessee." 

"No,  sir,  I  never  was  a  slave,  nor  was  I  ever  in  a  slave 
state.  I  was  born  and  brought  up  in  the  State  of  New 
York." 

"  Then  you  're  a  d d  spy,  and  I  Ve  a  great  mind 

to  shoot  you  this  minute,"  said  Chester. 

"  If  you  call  me  a  spy  because  I  came  here  to  see  Mr. 
John  Bayliss  for  Mr.  Hamilton,  then  you  can  do  so,  for  this  is 
why  I  am  here,  and  I  came  here  with  no  intention  of  harm 
to  any  one.  I  am  entirely  unarmed,  I  have  not  so  much 
as  a  penknife  with  which  to  defend  myself,  but  I  tell  you, 
gentlemen,  I  have  friends  here  in  this  house." 

At  this  they  dropped  their  weapons  as  by  an  electric 
shock,  and  Chester  exclaimed,  "You  shan't  be  hurt!  you 
shan't  be  hurt!"  Then  turning  to  his  son:  "Tom,  put  up 
your  pistol." 

"But,"  says  Tom,  "I  propose  to  search  him  and  see 
whether  he  's  clear  of  arms." 


THE  SLAVE-HOLDER'S  CONFESSION.  73 

"  No!  you  shan't  do  it.     I  reckon  it's  as  he  says." 

James,  seeing  that  they  were  thoroughly  intimidated, 
now  felt  at  his  ease.  The  Southerners,  of  course,  did  not 
know  but  a  posse  of  armed  men  awaited  their  actions 
instead  of  one  little  woman  and  a  lad  of  seventeen.  Ches- 
ter now  addressed  James  in  a  subdued  tone  and  manner, 
asking  him  to  sit  down,  "and  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it. 
Mr.  John  Bayliss  is  here  and  he  is  very  sick ;  he  is  not 
expected  to  live.  But  I  am  Elsie's  master;  my  name  is 
John  P.  Chester,  and  I  bought  her  out  of  pure  benevo- 
lence to  save  her  from  going  down  the  river  with  a  drove. 
Willis  was  going  from  house  to  house  begging  for  some 
one  to  buy  his  wife,  crying  and  taking  on  like  he  was 
nearly  crazy,  and  I  felt  sorry  for  him,  and  told  him  if  he 
would  help  me  buy  her  by  paying  three  hundred  dollars 
in  work  for  me,  I  could  do  it,  and  he  entered  into  a  writ- 
ten agreement  with  me  that  I  was  to  feed  and  clothe  him 
the  same  as  my  other  servants,  and  give  him  a  good  price 
for  his  work ;  but  before  he  had  been  with  me  a  year  he 
took  my  property  and  ran  away  with  it,  and  now  I  want 
to  get  it  back." 

"  Why  do  n't  you  go  and  get  it  then?"  said  James. 

"  Oh,  there  's  such  a  set  of  d d  abolitionists  there  I 

can 't  do  it,"  said  Chester.  "  Hamilton  wrote  to  me  that  he 
had  put  in  ten  acres  of  wheat  this  fall  on  shares  on  a 
widow  lady's  farm,  and  that  he  had  a  yoke  of  oxen,  two 
cows,  pigs  and  chickens." 

"Yes,"  said  James,  "  that  is  all  true." 

"  Well,"  said  Chester,  "you  can  have  all  he  has  there, 
besides  any  amount  of  money  you  please  to  name,  if  you 
will  assist  me  in  getting  him  and  his  family  here.  Will 
you  do  it?" 

James  replied,  very  carelessly,  "Well,  I  don't  know 
but  I  will  for  enough." 

"  You  see,"  said  Chester,  "  if  I  can  get  them  here,  I 
can  get  help  from  one  place  to  another  in  Ohio,  and  when 

6 


74  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  strike  Kentucky  I  'd  be  all  right."  lu  laying  plans  and 
making  arrangements  they  consumed  two  hours'  time,  and, 
as  the  reader  will  remember,  I  became  nervous  and  sent 
for  James,  after  which  I  had  my  experience  with  the  doc- 
tor and  the  sick  man. 

After  finding  ourselves  quietly  seated  with  our  friends 
in  their  private  parlor,  before  we  had  fairly  finished  re- 
lating our  adventures,  the  night  watch  came  in  with  the 
report  that  three  men  were  pacing  around  the  house  at 
about  equal  distances,  whom  he  suspected  to  be  burglars. 
Orders  were  given  to  keep  the  outside  rooms  lighted,  and 
if  any  attempt  was  made  to  enter  to  ring  the  alarm  bell 
and  assistance  would  be  forthcoming.  Morning  light,  how- 
ever, revealed  to  the  watchmen  that  their  suspected  burg- 
lars were  the  three  Southerners,  who  had  stopped  at  the 
Indiana  House  a  few  days,  but  not  finding  co-ope  ration 
probable  in  their  slave-hunting  business,  had  changed  their 
quarters  to  the  Toledo  Hotel.  I  recognized  my  doctor  and 
the  son-in-law;  and  the  other,  a  tall,  slender  young  man 
of  twenty-two,  was  my  sick  and  suffering  deacon,  who  an 
hour  previous  had  been  so  near  death's  door.  Their  object, 
of  course,  in  guarding  the  house,  was  to  see  that  we  sent  no 
messenger  to  defeat  the  letter  I  had  so  kindly  written  for 
them.  But  on  this  matter  I  gave  myself  no  concern,  as 
Elsie  was  as  well  acquainted  with  my  wardrobe  as  I  was, 
and  would  know  at  once  that  it  contained  no  such  articles 
as  I  mentioned ;  also,  that  the  house  had  no  south  bed- 
room, and  no  bureau  in  the  west  room,  neither  was  there 
a  double  team  nor  a  farm  wagon  on  the  place.  Consequently 
I  had  no  fears  that  the  letter  was  not  faithfully  fulfilling 
its  mission. 

A  few  minutes  before  we  left  the  hotel  for  the 
8  o'clock  train  to  return  home  a  colored  man  came  to 
James,  evidently  quite  excited,  and  said:  "We  have  just 
heard  there  is  a  colored  man  here  having  trouble  with 
slave-holders ;  if  this  is  true,  there  are  enough  of  us  here 


FOLLOWED    BY    SLAVE-HUXTERS.  75 

to  do  whatever  is  necessary."  James  did  not  reply,  but 
looked  inquiringly  at  me.  I  replied,  "There  is  trouble," 
and  taking  him  into  a  back  room,  gave  him  a  brief  sketch 
of  James's  experience.  I  told  him  I  did  not  think  it  prob- 
able that  violence  would  be  offered  in  daylight,  but  as  Mr. 
Cleveland  and  son  were  both  ill,  we  would  like  to  know 
who  our  friends  were  at  the  depot.  He  assured  me  we 
should  have  all  the  aid  we  needed.  "While  at  the  depot," 
said  he,  "  we  shall  watch  both  you  and  the  slave-holders, 
and  whatever  you  desire  us  to  do,  madam,  say  the  word, 
and  it  shall  be  done."  I  thanked  him,  but  did  not  think 
there  would  be  any  difficulty. 

The  three  Southerners  were  at  the  depot  as  soon  as  we 
were.  In  the  ticket  office  James  gave  up  going,  as  he 
thought  they  intended  going  with  us.  But  this  I  did  not 
care  for,  and  told  James  he  must  go  now,  as  there  was  no 
other  train  until  night,  and  there  was  no  telling  what  they 
might  do  under  cover  of  darkness.  When  we  got  to  the 
cars  the  doctor  and  son-in-law  jumped  aboard,  but  the  sick 
man  was  determined  to  take  his  seat  with  me,  and  followed 
my  son  and  myself  from  coach  to  coach,  and  whenever 
Ave  showed  any  signs  of  seating  ourselves  prepared  to  seat 
himself  opposite.  I  looked  at  his  snakish  eyes,  and  con- 
cluded to  leave  my  sick  deacon  to  see  James,  who  still  lin- 
gered in  the  ticket  office. 

I  again  urged  him  to  go  with  me,  as  I  should  take  an- 
other coach  when  I  returned  and  get  rid  of  the  Souther- 
ners. When  I  returned  I  ran  past  the  coach  I  had  left, 
and  Daniel  beckoned  to  me,  saying,  "Here,  mother,  this 
is  the  car  we  took."  "Yes,"  I  said,  "but  I  see  a  lady 
ahead  that  I  wish  to  sit  with."  At  this  the  sick  man 

jumped  up  and  exclaimed,  "I'll  be  d d  if  I  don't 

take  that  seat  then."  But  Daniel  pressed  his  way  past 
him,  and  noticed  his  heavily-laden  overcoat  pocket.  By 
the  time  my  son  reached  me  there  was  no  room  near  us 
for  the  sick  deacon,  so  he  returned  to  his  first  seat. 


76  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Duriug  all  this  time  about  a  dozen  men,  black  and 
white,  Avere  watching  us  closely.  I  beckoned  the  one  who 
called  on  us  at  the  hotel  to  come  to  our  apartments,  and 
told  him  to  tell  James  to  come  immediately  to  my  door. 
He  came,  and  I  opened  the  door  and  told  him  to  enter,  as 
the  train  was  about  moving.  When  he  was  inside  he  says  : 
"  I  am  afraid  we  will  have  trouble."  Just  then  the  con- 
ductor passed,  and  I  said  to  him :  "  I  suppose  we  will  be 
perfectly  safe  here,  should  \ve  have  trouble  on  our  way  to 
Adrian."  "  Most  certainly,"  he  said  (raising  his  voice  to 
the  highest  pitch).  "  I  vouch  for  the  perfect  safety  and 
protection  of  every  individual  on  board  this  train." 

Near  Sylvauia,  a  small  towa  ten  miles  from  Toledo,  the 
train  halted  to  sand  the  track,  and  our  chivalrous  friends 
got  off.  Chester  and  his  son  Thomas,  the  sick  deacon, 
stationed  themselves  about  three  feet* from  us;  and  Ches- 
ter, pointing  to  James,  said  in  a  low,  grum  voice:  "We'll 
see  you  alone  some  time;"  and,  turning  to  my  son,  "  You, 
too,  young  man."  Then  directing  his  volley  of  wrath  to 
me,  he  roared  out:  "But  that  lady  there — you  nigger 
stealer — you  that's  got  my  property  and  the  avails  of  it — 
I'll  show  you,  you  nigger  thief;"  and  drawing  a  revolver 
from  his  pocket,  his  sou  doing  the  same,  they  pointed  them 
towards  my  face,  Chester  again  bawling  out,  "  You  see 
these  tools,  do  you?  We  have  more  of  'em  here"  (holding 
up  a  traveling  bag),  "and  we  know  how  to  use  them.  We 
shall  stay  about  here  three  weeks,  and  we  will  have  that 
property  you  have  in  your  i>ossession  yet,  you  d d  nig- 
ger stealer.  A\rc  understand  ourselves.  We  know  what 
we  are  about." 

"  Man,  I  fear  neither  your  weapons  nor  your  threats ; 
they  are  powerless.  You  are  not  at  home — you  are  not  in 
Tennessee.  And  as  for  your  property,  I  have  none  of  it 
about  me  or  on  my  premises.  We  also  know  what  we  are 
about ;  we  also  understand,  not  only  ourselves,  but  you." 

Pale  and  trembling  with  rage  they  still  shook  their  pis- 


RETURN    HOME.  77 

tols  in  ray  face,  and  Chester,  in  a  clicked  voice,  exclaimed : 
"  I  '11 — I  '11 — I  won't  say  much  more  to  you — you  're  a 
woman — but  that  young  man  of  yours ;  I  '11  give  five  hun- 
dred dollars  if  he  '11  go  to  Kentucky  with  me." 

Just  then  the  conductor  appeared  and  cried  out:  "  What 
are  you  doing  here,  you  villainous  scoundrels?  We  '11  have 
you  arrested  in  five  minutes."  At  this  they  fled  precipi- 
tately to  the  woods,  and  the  last  we  saw  of  these  tall  and 
valiant  representatives  of  the  land  of  chivalry  were  their 
heels  fast  receding  in  the  thicket. 

Of  course,  this  brave  exhibition  of  rhetoric  and  valor 
called  out  innumerable  questions  from  the  passengers;  and 
from  there  on  to  Adrian,  though  already  terribly  fatigued, 
we  had  to  be  continually  framing  replies  and  making  ex- 
planations. 

Among  the  people  of  Sylvania  the  news  spread  like 
wildfire,  and  it  was  reported  that  over  forty  men  were  at 
the  depot  with  hand-spikes  and  iron  bars,  ready  to  tear  up 
the  track  in  case  the  Hamilton  family  had  been  found  on 
the  train  bound  for  Toledo. 

When  we  arrived  at  Adrian  my  oldest  son,  Harvey, 
and  Willis  were  there  to  meet  us;  and  when  we  told  Willis 
that  Elsie's  old  master  and  his  son  had  but  an  hour  pre- 
viously pointed  pistols  at  our  heads  and  threatened  our 
lives,  he  could  hardly  speak  from  astonishment.  Harvey 
said  my  letter  arrived  before  sunrise,  but  that  no  one  be- 
lieved I  had  any  thing  to  do  with  it.  However,  as  the 
porter  swore  he  saw  me  write  it,  Professor  Patchin  and  J. 
F.  Dolbeare  were  sent  for ;  but  they  also  distrusted  its  va- 
lidity and  the  truthfulness  of  the  bearer. 

Elsie  had  no  faith  in  it  at  all.  "  If,"  said  she,  "  the 
old  man  is  so  very  sick,  as  he  has  n't  seen  us  for  years, 
they  could  bring  him  any  black  man  and  woman,  and  call 
them  Willis  and  Elsie,  and  he  'd  never  know  the  difference; 
and  as  for  that  letter,  Mrs.  Haviland  never  saw  it.  I  be- 
lieve the  slave-holders  wrote  it  themselves.  They  thought, 


78  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

as  she  Avas  a  widow,  she  'd  have  a  black  dress,  and  you 
know  she  has  n't  got  one  in  the  house.  And  where  's  the 
pink  aprons  and  green  striped  dresses?  And  there's  no 
south  bed-room  in  this  house.  It's  all  humbug;  and  I 
sha'n't  stir  a  step  until  I  see  Mrs.  Havilaud." 

Said  another:  "These  things  look  <|iieer.  There's  no 
bureau  in  the  west  room." 

The  porter,  seeing  he  could  not  get  the  family,  offered 
Willis  ten  dollars  if  he  would  go  to  Palmyra  with  him, 
but  he  refused.  He  then  offered  it  to  my  son  Harvey  if 
he  would  take  Willis  to  Palmyra. 

"No,  sir;  I  shall  take  him  nowhere  but  to  Adrian,  to 
meet  mother,"  was  Harvey's  reply. 

After  their  arrival  in  Adrian  the  porter  again  offered  the 
ten  dollars,  and  Lawyer  Perkins  and  others  advised  Harvey 
to  take  it  and  give  it  to  Willis,  as  they  would  protect  him 
from  all  harm.  But  when  I  came  I  told  him  not  to  touch 
it;  and  the  porter,  drawing  near,  heard  my  explanation  of 
the  letter,  and  the  threatening  remarks  of  the  people,  who 
declared  that  if  slave-holders  should  attempt  to  take  the 
Hamilton  family  or  any  other  escaped  slave  from  our  city 
or  county  they  would  see  trouble.  He  soon  gave  us  the 
benefit  of  his  absence,  and  we  went  home  with  thankful 
hearts  that  public  sentiment  had  made  a  law  too  strong  to 
allow  avaricious  and  unprincipled  men  to  cast  our  perse- 
cuted neighbors  back  into  the  seething  cauldron  of  Amer- 
ican slavery. 

All  that  day  our  house  was  thronged  with  visitors, 
eager  to  hear  the  story  which  was  agitating  the  whole  com- 
munity, but  about  midnight  I  told  my  friends  that  rest 
was  a  necessity,  for  never  in  my  life  was  I  so  thoroughly 
exhausted  from  talking ;  but,  as  the  next  day  was  the 
Sabbath,  I  would  in  the  evening  meet  all  who  chose  to 
come  in  the  Valley  School-house  (at  that  day  the  largest 
in  the  county)  and  tell  them  the  whole  story,  and  save 
repeating  it  so  many  times. 


MKKTING  AT  THE  SCHOOL-HOUSK.  79 

When  the  evening  came  we  met  a  larger  crowd  than 
could  find  standing -room  in  the  school-house,  and  report 
said  there  was  a  spy  for  the  slave-holders  under  a  window 
outside. 

I  related  the  whole  story,  omitting  nothing,  and  was 
followed  by  Elijah  Brownell,  one  of  our  ablest  anti-slavery 
lecturers,  with  a  few  spirited  remarks.  He  suggested  that 
a  collection  should  be  taken  up  to  defray  our  expenses  to 
Toledo  and  return,  and  fourteen  dollars  was  soon  placed 
in  my  hands. 

From  a  friend  of  our  letter-carrier,  the  porter  of  the 
Toledo  Hotel,  we  learned  that  the  plans  of  the  slave-holders 
accorded  with  those  given  James  Martin  in  the  sick-room. 
After  getting  the  Hamilton  family  in  their  clutches  they 
intended  to  gag  and  bind  them,  and,  traveling  nights, 
convey  them  from  one  point  to  another  until  they  reached 
Kentucky.  This  was  precisely  on  the  plan  of  our  under- 
ground railroad,  but  happily  for  the  cause  of  freedom,  in 
this  case  at  least,  not  as  successful. 

The  citizens  of  Adrian  appointed  a  meeting  at  the 
court-house,  and  sent  for  me  to  again  tell  the  story  of  the 
slaveholder  "who  had  so  deeply  laid  his  plans  to  capture, 
not  only  his  fugitive  slave  Elsie  and  her  four  children,  but 
also  her  husband,  who  was  a  free  man.  Other  meetings 
were  called  to  take  measures  for  securing  the  safety  of  the 
hunted  family  from  the  iron  grasp  of  the  oppressor,  whose 
arm  is  ever  strong  and  powerful  in  the  cause  of  evil ;  and 
so  great  was  public  excitement  that  the  chivalrous  sous  of 
the  South  found  our  Northern  climate  too  warm  for  their 
constitutions,  and  betook  themselves  to  the  milder  climate 
of  Tennessee  with  as  great  speed  as  their  hunted  slave, 
with  her  husband,  hastened  away  from  there  fifteen  years 
before. 

It  may  be  asked  how  the  Chesters  discovered  that 
Hamilton  and  his  wife  were  in  Michigan.  We  learned 
afterward  that  John  P.  Chester  was  the  postmaster  at 


80  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Jonesborough,  and  receiving  a  letter  at  his  office  directed 
to  John  Bayliss,  he  suspected  it  to  be  from  friends  of  his 
former  slave,  and  opened  it.  His  suspicions  being  con- 
firmed, he  detained  the  letter,  and  both  corresponded  and 
came  North  in  the  assumed  character  of  Bayliss.  His 
schemes  miscarried,  as  we  have  above  narrated,  and  Bayliss 
probably  never  knew  of  the  desperate  game  played  in 
his  name. 

About  two  weeks  after  the  departure  of  this  noble  trio 
I  received  a  threatening  letter  from  John  P.  Chester,  to 
which  I  replied  ;  and  this  was  followed  by  a  correspond- 
ence with  his  son,  Thomas  K.  Chester  (the  sick  deacon). 
From  these  letters  we  shall  give  a  few  extracts. 

In  a  letter  received  under  the  date  of  December  3, 
1846,  John  P.  Chester  writes:  "I  presume  you  do  not 
want  something  for  nothing;  and  inasmuch  as  you  have 
my  property  in  your  possession,  and  are  so  great  a  philan- 
thropist, you  will  feel  bound  to  remunerate  me  for  that 
property.  ...  If  there  is  any  law  of  the  land  to 
cmnpd  you  to  pay  for  them  I  intend  to  have  it." 
In  my  reply,  December  20,  1846,  I  wrote : 
"First,  convince  me  that  you  have  property  in  my 
possession,  and  you  shall  have  the  utmost  farthing.  But 
if  Willis  Hamilton  and  family  are  property  in  my  posses- 
sion, then  are  Rev.  John  Patchin  and  wife,  principals  of 
Raisin  Institute,  and  other  neighbors,  property  in  my  pos- 
session, as  I  have  dealing  with  each  family,  precisely  in  the 
same  manner  that  I  have  with  Willis  Hamilton  and  family, 
and  I  do  as  truly  recognize  property  in  my  other  neighbors 
as  in  the  Hamilton  family.  Prove  my  position  fallacious, 
and  not  predicated  on  principles  of  eternal  right,  and 
they  may  be  blown  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven.  If 
carnal  weapons  can  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  spiritual 
you  shall  have  the  liberty  to  do  it  with  the  six-shooters 
you  flourished  toward  my  face  in  Sylvania,  Ohio.  .  .  . 
"As  for  my  being  compelled  to  pay  you  for  this  alleged 


AN    INSULTING    LETTER.  81 

property,  to  this  I  have  but  little  to  say,  as  it  is  the  least 
of  all  my  troubles  in  this  lower  world.  I  will  say,  how- 
ever, I  stand  ready  to  meet  whatever  you  may  think 
proper  to  do  in  the  case.  Should  you  think  best  to  make 
us  another  call,  I  could  not  vouch  for  your  safety.  The 
circumstances  connected  with  this  case  have  been  such  that 
great  excitement  has  prevailed.  A  number  of  my  neigh- 
bors have  kept  arms  since  our  return  from  Toledo.  I  can  say 
with  the  Psalmist,  '  I  am  for  peace,  but  they  are  for  war.' 

"At  a  public  meeting  called  the  next  evening  after  our 
return  from  the  Toledo  trip,  fourteen  dollars  was  placed  in 
my  hands  as  a  remuneration  for  the  assistance  I  rendered 
in  examining  your  very  sick  patient.  I  found  the  disease 
truly  alarming,  far  beyond  the  reach  of  human  aid,  much 
deeper  than  bilious  fever,  although  it  might  have  assumed 
a  typhoid  grade.  The  blister  that  you  were  immediately 
to  apply  on  the  back  of  the  patient  could  not  extract 
that  dark,  deep  plague-spot  of  slavery,  too  apparent  to  be 
misunderstood." 

I  received  a  long  list  of  epithets  in  a  letter,  bear- 
ing date,  Jonesboro,  Tennessee,  February  7,  1847,  from 
Thomas  K.  Chester,  the  sick  deacon : 

"I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  answer  your  pack  of 
balderdash,  .  .  .  that  you  presumed  to  reply  to  my 
father,  as  I  was  with  him  on  his  tour  to  Michigan,  and  a 
participant  in  all  his  transactions,  even  to  the  acting  the 
sick  man's  part  in  Toledo.  .  .  .  True  it  is,  by  your 
cunning  villainies  you  have  deprived  us  of  our  just  rights, 
of  our  own  property.  .  .  .  Thanks  be  to  an  all  wise 
and  provident  God  that  my  father  has  more  of  that  sable 
kind  of  busy  fellows,  greasy,  slick,  and  fat ;  and  they  are 
not  cheated  to  death  out  of  their  hard  earnings  by  villainous 
and  infernal  abolitionists,  whose  philanthropy  is  interest, 
and  whose  only  desire  is  to  swindle  the  slave-holder  out  of 
his  own  property,  and  convert  its  labor  to  their  own 
infernal  aggrandizement. 


82  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-WOUK. ' 

"It  is  exceedingly  unpleasant  for  me  to  indulge  in 
abuse,  particularly  to  a  woman,  and  I  would  not  now  do 
it,  did  I  not  feel  a  perfect  consciousness  of  right  and 
duty.  .  .  .  Who  do  you  think  would  parley  with  a 
thief,  a  robber  of  man's  just  rights,  recognized  by  the  glo- 
rious Constitution  of  our  Union !  Such  a  condescension 
would  damn  an  honest  man,  would  put  modesty  to  the 
blush.  What!  to  engage  in  a  contest  with  you?  a  rogue, 
a  damnable  thief,  a  negro  thief,  an  outbreaker,  a  criminal 
in  the  sight  of  all  honest  men  ;  .  .  .  the  mother,  to:>,  of 
a  pusillanimous  son,  who  permitted  me  to  curse  and  damn 
you  in  Sylvania!  I  would  rather  be  caught  with  another 
man's  sheep  on  my  back  than  to  engage  in  such  a  subject, 
and  with  such  an  individual  as  old  Laura  Haviland,  a 
damned  uigger-stealer.  .  .  . 

"  You  can  tell  Elsie  that  since  our  return  my  father 
bought  her  eldest  daughter ;  that  she  is  now  his  property, 
and  the  mother  of  a  likely  boy,  that  I  call  Daniel  Havi- 
land after  your  pretty  sou.  She  has  plenty  to  eat,  and  has 
shoes  in  the  Winter,  an  article  Willis's  children  had  not 
when  I  was  there,  although  it  was  cold  enough  to  freeze 
the  horns  off  the  cows.  .  .  .  What  do  you  think  your 
portion  will  be  at  the  great  day  of  judgment?  I  think  it 
will  be  the  inner  temple  of  hell." 

In  my  reply,  dated  Raisin,  March  1G,  1847,  I  informed 
the  sick  deacon  that  my  letter  to  his  father  "had  served 
as  a  moral  emetic,  by  the  mass  of  black,  bilious,  and  putrid 
matter  it  had  sent  forth.  You  must  have  been  exercised 
with  as  great  distress,  as  extreme  pain,  that  was  producing 
paroxysms  and  vomiting,  that  you  had  in  your  sick-room 
in  the  Toledo  hotel,  when  your  physician  was  so  hastily 
called  to  your  relief  by  your  son-in-law,  as  the  matter  that 
lies  before  me  in  letter  form  is  as  'black,'  and  much 
more  'bilious,'  and  nearer  'mortification'  than  that  I 
saw  there. 

"  We  thank  you  for  the  name's  sake.     May  he  possess 


A  SLAVK-HOLDEU'S    LKTTKR.  83 

the  wisdom  of  a  Daniel  of  old,  although  his  lot  be  cast  ill 
the  lions'  deii;  and,  like  Moses,  may  he  become  instru- 
mental iu  leading  his  jxiople  away  from  a  worse  bondage 
than  that  of  Egypt. 

"According  to  your  logic,  we  are  not  only  robbing 
the  slaveholder,  but  the  poor  slave  of  his  valuable  home, 
where  he  can  enjoy  the  elevating  and  soul-ennobling  priv- 
ilege of  looking  'greasy,  slick,  and  fat' — can  have  the 
privilege  of  being  forbidden  the  laborious  task  of  culti- 
vating his  intellect — is  forbidden  to  claim  his  wife  and 
children  as  his  own  instead  of  the  property  of  John  P. 
Chester." 

I  pitied  the  young  man,  whose  bitterness  of  hate  seemed 
incorrigible,  and  gave  advice  which  I  deemed  wholesome, 
although  I  yielded  to  the  temptation  of  dealing  somewhat 
in  irony  and  sarcasm. 

But  the  next  letter  from  the  sick  deacon  was  filled  and 
running  over  with  vulgar  blackguardism,  that  I  would 
neither  answer  nor  give  to  the  public  eye.  It  was  directed 
to  "Laura  S.  Haviland,  Esq.,  or  Dan."  As  it  arrived  in 
my  absence,  my  son  Daniel  handed  it  to  Rev.  John  Pat  chin, 
who  became  so  indignant  in  reading  the  list  of  epithets  that 
he  proposed  to  reply. 

The  first  sentence  of  his  letter  was : 

"  Sir, — As  John  Quincy  Adams  and  Henry  Clay  wore 
seated  iu  Congress,  they  saw  passing  on  the  street  a  drove 
of  jackasses.  Said  Henry  Clay,  'There,  Mr.  Adams,  is  a 
company  of  your  constituents  as  they  come  from  the 
North.'  'All  right;  they  are  going  South  to  teach  yours,' 
was  the  quick  reply.  And  I  think  one  of  those  long- 
eared  animals  has  strayed  down  your  way,  and  your  ma 
might  have  sent  you  to  his  school — I  think,  however,  but 
a  few  weeks,  or  your  epistolary  correspondence  with  Mrs. 
Haviland  would  have  been  vastly  improved." 

From  the  rejx>rt  my  son  gave  me  of  the  short  epistle, 
it  was  filled  with  sentences  couched  in  the  same  spirit 


84  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

throughout;  "for,"  said  he,  "that  rabid  fire-eater  has  been 
treated  in  a  manner  too  mild.  He  needs  something  more 
nearly  like  his  own  coin." 

I  shortly  after  received  a  few  lines  from  Thomas  K. 
Chester,  informing  me  that  he  had  my  last  letter  struck 
off  in  hand-bills,  and  circulated  in  a  number  of  the  South- 
ern States,  "over  its  true  signature,  Laura  S.  Haviland, 
as  you  dictated  and  your  daughter  wrote  it ;  for,  as  strange 
as  it  may  appear,  I  have  the  handwriting  of  every  one  of 
your  family,  and  also  of  Willis  Hamilton.  I  distribute 
these  hand-bills  for  the  purpose  of  letting  the  South  see 
what  sort  of  sisters  they  have  in  the  North."  We  learned 
from  a  number  of  sources  that  to  this  circular  or  hand-bill 
was  attached  a  reward  of  $3,000  for  my  head. 

As  for  the  letter  that  Chester  had  richly  earned,  nei- 
ther my  daughter  nor  myself  had  the  privilege  of  perusing 
it,  as  it  was  mailed  before  my  return  home.  But  I  pre- 
sume the  indignant  writer  designed  to  close  the  unpleasant 
correspondence. 

SECOND  EFFORT  TO  RETAKE  THE  HAMILTON  FAMILY. 

After  the  passage  of  the  famous  Fugitive-slave  Bill  of 
1850,  turning  the  whole  population  of  the  North  into  slave- 
hunters,  Thomas  K.  Chester,  with  renewed  assurance,  came 
to  Lawyer  Beecher's  office,  in  Adrian,  and  solicited  his  serv- 
ices in  capturing  the  Hamiltons,  as  he  was  now  prepared  to 
take  legal  steps  in  recovering  his  property.  Said  he : 

"  I  ask  no  favors  of  Adrian  or  Raisin,  as  I  have  my 
posse  of  thirty  men  within  a  stone's  throw  of  this  city. 
All  I  ask  is  legal  authority  from  you,  Mr.  Beecher,  and  I 
can  easily  get  them  in  my  possession." 

"I  can  not  aid  you,"  said  Mr.  Beecher;  "it  would 
ruin  my  practice  as  a  lawyer." 

"I  will  give  you  $100,  besides  your  fee,"  rejoined  Chester. 

"  You  have  not  enough  money  in  your  State  of  Ten- 
nessee to  induce  me  to  assist  you  in  any  way  whatever." 


A  LAWYER'S  ADVICE.  85 

"  Will  you  direct  me  to  a  lawyer  who  will  aid  me?" 

"  I  can  not ;  I  know  of  none  in  our  State  who  could 
be  hired  to  assist  you.  And  I  advise  you  to  return  to 
your  home ;  for  you  will  lose  a  hundred  dollars  where  you 
will  gain  one,  if  you  pursue  it." 

At  this  advice  he  became  enraged,  and  swore  he  would 
have  them  this  time,  at  any  cost.  "And  if  old  Laura  Havi- 
laud  interferes  I  '11  put  her  in  prison.  I  acknowledge  she 
outwitted  us  before ;  but  let  her  dare  prevent  my  taking 
them  this  time,  aud  I  '11  be  avenged  on  her  before  I  leave 
this  State." 

"All  the  advice  I  have  to  give  you  is  to  abandon  this 
scheme,  for  you  will  find  no  jail  in  this  State  that  will  hold 
that  woman.  And  I  request  you  not  to  enter  my  office 
again  on  this  business,  for  if  it  were  known  to  the  public  it 
would  injure  my  practice ;  and  I  shall  not  recognize  you 
on  the  street." 

In  a  lower  tone  Chester  continued,  •"  I  request  you, 
Mr.  Beecher,  as  a  gentleman,  to  keep  my  name  and  busi- 
ness a  secret."  With  a  few  imprecations  he  left  the  office. 

My  friend  R.  Beecher  sent  a  dispatch  to  me  at  once 
by  Sheriff  Spafford,  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  Hamilton 
family  at  once,  if  still  on  my  premises,  as  my  Tennessee 
correspondents  were  probably  in  or  near  Adrian.  I  in- 
formed him  they  were  safe  in  Canada  within  six  months 
after  the  visit  from  the  Chesters.  Mr.  Beecher  also  ad- 
vised me  to  make  my  property  safe  without  delay,  but 
this  had  been  done  two  years  previously.  On  receiving 
this  information  my  friend  Beecher  replied,  "Had  I  known 
this  I  would  have  sent  for  her,  for  I  'd  give  ten  dollars 
to  see  them  meet."  Mr.  Chester  heard  that  the  Hamilton 
family  had  gone  to  Canada,  but  he  did  not  believe  it,  as 
he  also  heard  they  had  gone  to  Ypsilanti,  in  this  State, 
where  he  said  he  should  follow  them. 

We  learned  in  the  sequel  that  he  went  to  Ypsilanti, 
and  took  rooms  and  board  in  a  hotel,  while  calling  on 


86  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

every  colored  family  in  town  and  for  two  or  three  miles 
arouud  it,  sometimes  as  a  drover,  at  other  times  au  agent 
to  make  arrangements  for  purchasing  wood  aud  charcoal. 
During  four  weeks  he  found  a  family  that  answered  the 
description  of  the  Hamilton  family  in  color  and  number. 
He  wrote  to  his  father  that  he  had  found  them  under  an 
assumed  name,  and  requested  him  to  send  a  man  who 
could  recognize  them,  as  they  had  been  away  over  eighteen 
years.  The  man  was  sent,  and  two  weeks  more  were  spent 
in  reconuoitering.  At  length  both  were  agreed  to  arrest 
David  Gordon  and  wife,  Avith  their  four  children,  as  the 
Hamilton  family,  and  applied  for  a  warrant  to  take  the 
family  as  escaped  slaves.  The  United  States  Judge,  Hon. 
Ross  Wilkins,  who  issued  the  warrant,  informed  one  of 
the  most  active  underground  railroad  men,  George  De 
Baptist,  of  this  claimant's  business.  He  immediately  tele- 
graphed to  a  vigorous  worker  in  Ypsilanti,  who  sent  run- 
ners in  every  direction,  inquiring  for  a  Hamilton  family. 
None  could  be  found ;  and  the  conclusion  was  reached  that 
they  were  newcomers  and  were  closely  concealed,  and  the 
only  safe  way  was  to  set  a  watch  at  the  depot  for  officers 
aud  their  posse,  and  follow  whithersoever  they  went,  keep- 
ing in  sight.  This  was  done,  and  the  place  they  found 
aimed  for  was  David  Gordon's.  On  entering  the  house 
the  officer  placed  hand-cuffs  on  David  Gordon,  who  in  sur- 
prise asked,  "What  does  this  mean?" 

Said  the  officer,  "I  understand  your  name  is  Willis 
Hamilton,  once  a  slave  in  Tennessee." 

Gordon  replied,  "  No,  sir,  you  are  mistaken;  I  never 
was  in  that  State;  neither  is  my  name  Hamilton,  but  Gor- 
don, and  I  have  free  papers  from  Virginia." 

"  Where  are  your  papers?  If  they  are  good  they  shall 
save  you." 

Pointing  to  a  trunk,  "There  they  are;  take  that  key 
and  you  '11  find  them." 

While  the  officer  was  getting  the  papers,  Chester  went 


A   BAFFLED    SLAVE-HOLDER.  87 

to  the  bed  of  the  sick  wife,  placed  a  six-shooter  at  her 
head,  and  swore  lie  'd  blow  her  brains  out  in  a  moment  if 
she  did  not  say  their  name  was  Hamilton.  "  No,  sir,  our 
name  is  Gordon."  Their  little  girl,  standing  by,  cried  out 
with  fear.  He  turned  to  her,  with  pistol  pointing  toward 
her  face,  and  swore  he  'd  kill  her  that  instant  if  she  did 
not  say  her  father's  name  'was  Willis  Hamilton.  » 

At  this  juncture,  the  officer's  attention  was  arrested. 
"  What  are  you  about,  you  villain?  You  '11  be  arrested  be- 
fore you  know  it,  if  you  are  not  careful.  Put  up  that 
pistol  instantly,  and  if  these  papers  are  good,  I  shall  re- 
lease this  man,  and  return  the  warrant  unserved." 

He  examined  them  and  said,  "  These  papers  I  find 
genuine."  He  then  removed  the  handcuffs  from  David 
Gordon,  and  with  the  discomfited  Thomas  K.  Chester  and 
Tennessee  companion  returned  to  the  depot  for  the  Detroit 
train. 

While  on  their  way  they  met  a  colored  man  that  Chester 
swore  was  Willis  Hamilton.  Said  the  officer,  "You  know 
not  what  you  are  about ;  I  shall  arrest  no  man  at  your 
command." 

On  returning  the  unserved  warrant  to  Judge  Wilkins, 

Chester  charged   him  with   being  allied  with   the  "d d 

abolitionist,  old  Laura  Haviland,  in  running  off  that  family 
to  Maiden,  to  keep  me  out  of  my  property." 

"I  knew  nothing  of  the  family,  or  of  your  business, 
until  you  came  into  this  office  yesterday,"  replied  the  judge. 

In  a  rage  and  with  an  oath,  he  replied,  "  I  know,  sir, 
your  complicity  in  keeping  slave-holders  out  of  their  prop- 
erty, and  can  prove  it."  He  threw  his  hat  on  the  floor 
and  gave  a  stamp,  as  if  to  strengthen  his  oath. 

The  judge  simply  ordered  him  out  of  his  office,  instead 
of  committing  him  to  prison  for  contempt  of  court ;  and 
with  his  companion  he  went  back  to  his  Tennessee  home, 
again  defeated. 

Thomas  K.  Chester  wrote  and  had  published  scurrilous 

7 


88  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

articles  in  Tennessee,  and  in  a  number  of  other  Southern 
States.  They  were  vigorously  circulated  until  the  following 
Congress,  in  which  the  grave  charge  was  brought  against 
the  judge,  "  of  being  allied  with  Mrs.  Haviland,  of  the  inte- 
rior of  the  State  of  Michigan,  a  rabid  abolitionist,  in  keeping 
slaveholders  out  of  their  slave  property."  A  vigorous  effort 
was  made  by  Southern  members  to  impeach  him,  while 
his  friends  were  petitioning  Congress  to  raise  his  salary. 
Judge  Wilkius  was  sent  for  to  answer  to  these  false  charges. 
Although  they  failed  to  impeach  him,  yet  on  account  of 
these  charges  the  addition  to  his  salary  was  lost. 

When  these  false  accusations  were  brought  into  Con- 
gress, and  the  judge  was  informed  of  the  necessity  of  his 
presence  to  answer  thereto,  he  inquired  of  Henry  Bibb 
and  others  where  I  was.  They  informed  him  that  I  was  ab- 
S2iit  from  home.  On  my  return  from  Cincinnati  with  a  few 
underground  railroad  passengers,  I  learned  of  the  trouble 
Judge  Wilkins  met,  and  I  called  on  him.  He  told  me  of 
the  pile  of  Southern  papers  he  had  received,  with  scurri- 
lous articles,  designed  to  prejudice  Southern  members  of 
Congress  against  him.  Said  he,  "Although  they  failed  in 
the  impeachment,  they  said  they  would  come  against  me 
with  double  force  next  Congress,  and  should  effect  their 
object."  Said  the  judge,  "  I  want  your  address,  for  if  they 
do  repeat  their  effort,  with  the  explanation  you  have  now 
given,  I  think  I  can  save  another  journey  to  Washington." 
The  judge  was  never  again  called  upon  to  defend  himself 
on  this  subject,  as  their  effort  was  not  repeated ;  neither 
did  their  oft-repeated  threat  to  imprison  me  disturb  us. 

DEATH  OF  THE  OH  ESTERS. 

In  the  third  year  of  the  Rebellion,  while  in  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  on  a  mission  to  the  perishing,  I  found  myself 
in  the  city  where  my  Tennessee  correspondents  lived  a  few 
years  previous  to  their  deaths.  From  a  minister  who  had 
long  been  a  resident  of  that  city,  and  had  also  lived  near 


DEATH    OF    THE   CHESTERS.  89 

Joiiesboro,  where  they  resided  during  the  correspondence, 
I  learned  the  following  facts:  A  few  years  prior  to  the 
war  John  P.  Chester  removed  with  his  family  to  Memphis, 
where  he  became  a  patroler.  His  son  Thomas  transacted 
business  as  a  lawyer.  I  was  shown  his  residence,  and  the 
office  where  John  P.  Chester  was  shot  through  the  heart 
by  a  mulatto  man,  whose  free  papers  he  demanded,  doubt- 
ing their  validity.  Said  the  man,  "  I  am  as  free  as  you  are ; 
and  to  live  a  slave  I  never  shall."  He  then  drew  a  six- 
shooter  from  its  hiding-place  and  shot  him  through  the  heart. 
He  fell,  exclaiming,  "O  God,  I'm  a  dead  man."  The  man 
threw  down  the  fatal  weapon,  saying  to  the  bystanders, 
"  Here  I  am,  gentlemen,  shoot  me,  or  hang  me,  just  as  you 
please,  but  to  live  a  slave  to  any  man  I  never  shall."  He 
was  taken  by  the  indignant  crowd,  and  hung  on  the  limb  of 
a  tree  near  by,  pierced  with  many  bullets.  I  can  not  de- 
scribe the  feeling  that  crept  over  me,  as  I  gazed  upon  the 
pavement  where  John  P.  Chester  met  his  fate,  and  which 
I  had  walked  over  in  going  to  officers'  head-quarters  from 
the  steamer.  Oh !  what  a  life,  to  close  with  such  a 
tragedy ! 

Thomas  K.  Chester  being  a  few  rods  distant  ran  to 
assist  his  dying  father,  but  his  life  was  gone  ere  he  reached 
him.  A  few  mouths  later  he  was  brought  from  a  boat 
sick  with  yellow  fever,  and  died  in  one  week  from  the 
attack  in  terrible  paroxysms  and  ravings,  frequently  requir- 
ing six  men  to  hold  him  on  his  bed.  He  was  ill  the  same 
length  of  time  that  they  falsely  represented  a  few  years 
before  in  the  Toledo  hotel.  Said  the  narrator,  "Thomas 
K.  Chester's  death  was  the  most  awful  I  ever  witnessed. 
He  cursed  and  swore  to  his  last  breath,  saying  he  saw  his 
father  standing  by  his  bed,  with  damned  spirits  waiting  to 
take  him  away  to  eternal  burnrags." 

After  a  long  walk  one  day,  I  called  at  the  former  resi- 
dence of  the  Chester  family,  and  was  seated  in  the  front 
parlor.  It  is  hard  to  imagine  mv  feelings  as  I  sat  in  the 


90  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

room  where  those  two  men  had  lain  in  death's  cold  em- 
brace— men  who  had  flourished  toward  my  face  the  six- 
shooter.  It  was  by  this  kind  of  deadly  weapon  the  life  of 
one  was  taken ;  and  as  nearly  as  words  can  describe  the 
feigned  sickness,  the  last  week  of  the  life  of  the  other  was 
spent.  No  wonder  the  blood  seemed  to  curdle  in  my  veins  in 
contemplating  the  lives  of  these  men,  and  their  end.  It 
is  beyond  the  power  of  pen  to  describe  the  panorama  that 
passed  before  me  in  these  moments.  The  proprietor  of 
the  Toledo  hotel  lost  custom  by  his  complicity  in  their 
efforts  to  retake  their  alleged  slave .  property.  A  few 
months  after  the  hotel  was  burned  to  ashes. 


A   BOGUS  SCHOOL-TEACHER.  1U 


CHAPTER  IV. 

AN  OHIO  SCHOOL-TEACHER. 

IN  the  Autumii  of  1847  a  gentleman  of  evident  culture 
called  for  early  breakfast,  though  he  had  passed  a  public 
house  about  two  miles  distant.  I  mistrusted  my  stranger 
caller  to  be  a  counterfeit;  and  told  him,  as  I  had  the  care 
of  an  infant  for  a  sick  friend,  he  would  find  better  fare  at 
the  boarding  hall  a  few  rods  away.  But  introducing  him- 
self as  an  Ohio  school-teacher,  and  accustomed  to  boarding 
around,  he  had  not  enjoyed  his  favorite  bread  and  milk 
for  a  long  while,  and  if  I  would  be  so  kind  as  to  allow  him 
a  bowl  of  bread  and  milk  he  would  accept  it  as  a  favor. 
He  said  he  had  heard  of  our  excellent  school,  and  wished 
to  visit  it.  He  was  also  acting  as  agent  of  the  National 
Era,  published  at  Cincinnati,  in  which  he  was  much  in- 
terested, and  solicited  my  subscription.  I  told  him  I  knew 
it  to  be  a  valuable  periodical,  but,  as  I  was  taking  three 
abolition  papers  he  must  excuse  me. 

He  was  also  very  much  interested  in  the  underground 
railroad  projects,  and  referred  to  names  of  agents  and  sta- 
tions, in  Indiana  and  Ohio,  in  a  way  that  I  concluded  he 
had  been  on  the  trail  and  found  me,  as  well  as  others,  and 
perhaps  taken  the  assumed  agency  of  the  Era  for  a  cov- 
ering. He  said  it  was  found  necessary  in  some  places  in 
Ohio  and  Indiana  to  change  the  routes,  as  slave-holders  had 
traced  and  followed  them  so  closely  that  they  had  made 
trouble  in  many  places,  and  suggested  a  change  in  Mich- 
igan, as  there  were  five  slave-holders  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  when 
he  came  through,  in  search  of  escaped  slaves.  I  replied 
that  it  might  be  a  good  idea,  but  I  had  not  considered  it 
sufficiently  to  decide. 


92  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Continuing  his  arguments,  he  referred  to  a  slave  who 
was  captured  by  Mr.  B.  Stevens,  of  Boone  County,  Ken- 
tucky. He  saw  him  tied  on  a  horse  standing  at  the  door 
of  an  inn  where  he  was  teaching.  In  surprise,  I  inquired: 

"Did  that  community  allow  that  to  be  done  in  their 
midst  without  making  an  effort  to  rescue  the  self-made 
freeman  ?  " 

"  0  yes,  because  Stevens  came  with  witnesses  and  pa- 
pers, proving  that  he  legally  owned  him ;  so  that  nothing 
could  be  done  to  hinder  him." 

"That  could  never  be  done  in  this  community;  and  I 
doubt  whether  it  could  be  done  in  this  State." 

"  But  what  could  you  do  in  a  case  like  that?" 

"  Let  a  slave-holder  come  and  try  us,  as  they  did  six 
months  ago  in  their  effort  to  retake  the  Hamilton  family, 
who  are  still  living  here  on  my  premises,  and  you  see  how 
they  succeeded  ;"  and  I  gave  him  their  plans  and  defeat. 
"  Let  them  or  any  other  slave-holders  disturb  an  escaped 
slave,  at  any  time  of  night  or  day,  and  the  sound  of  a  tin 
horn  would  be  heard,  with  a  dozen  more  answering  it  in 
different  directions,  and  men  enough  would  gather  around 
the  trembling  fugitive  for  his  rescue.  For  women  can 
blow  horns,  and  men  can  run.  Bells  are  used  in  our  school 
and  neighborhood;  but  if  the  sound  of  a  tin  horn  is  heard 
it  is  understood,  a  few  miles  each  way  from  Raisin  Insti- 
tute, just  what  it  means." 

Looking  surprised,  he  answered:  "Well,  I  reckon  you 
do  understand  yourselves  here.  But  I  do  n't  see  how  you 
could  retain  one  legally  if  papers  and  witnesses  were 
on  hand." 

"  Hon.  Ross  Wilkins,  United  States  judge,  residing  in 
Detroit,  can  legally  require  any  fugitive  so  claimed  to  be 
brought  before  him,  and  not  allow  any  thing  to  be  done 
until  the  decision  is  reached.  And  there  are  many  active 
workers  to  assist  escaping  slaves  in  that  city,  who  would 
rush  to  their  aid,  and  in  ten  minutes  see  them  safe  in 


HUNTING  FOR  JOHN  WHITE.  93 

Canada.  I  presume  if  the  slave  claimant  should  come 
with  a  score  of  witnesses  and  a  half-bushel  of  papers,  to 
prove  his  legal  right,  it  would  avail  him  nothing,  as  we 
claim  a  higher  law  than  wicked  enactments  of  men  who 
claim  the  misnomer  of  law  by  which  bodies  and  souls  of 
men,  women,  and  children  are  claimed  as  chattels." 

The  proprietor  of  the  boarding  hall  desired  me  to  allow 
him  to  inform  the  stranger  of  our  suspicions,  and  invite 
him  to  leave.  But  I  declined,  as  I  had  reached  the  con- 
clusion that  my  visitor  was  from  Kentucky,  and  probably 
in  search  of  John  White,  whose  master  had  sworn  that  he 
would  send  him  as  far  as  wind  and  water  would  carry  him 
if  he  ever  got  him  again.  Professor  Patchin  and  J.  F. 
Dolbeare  called  to  see  him,  and  con  versed  with  him  about 
his  agency  for  the  Era,  etc. ;  and  brother  Patchin  invited 
him  to  attend  the  recitations  of  the  classes  in  Latin  and 
geometry.  The  second  was  accepted,  as  mathematics,  he 
satd,  was  his  favorite  study. 

By  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  hour  of  his  leaving,  the  tide 
of  excitement  was  fast  rising,  and  one  of  the  students  offered 
to  go  and  inform  John  White  of  the  danger  we  suspected, 
and  advise  him  to  take  refuge  in  Canada  until  these  Ken- 
tuckians  should  leave  our  State. 

We  surmised  that  the  five  slave-holders  he  reported  in 
Toledo  were  his  own  company,  which  was  soon  found  to  be 
true.  One  of  my  horses  was  brought  into  requisition  at 
once  for  the  dispatch-bearer ;  but  he  had  not  been  on  his 
journey  an  hour  before  we  learned  that  our  Ohio  teacher 
inquired  of  a  boy  on  the  road  if  there  had  been  a  mulatto 
man  by  the  name  of  White  attending  school  at  Raisin 
Institute  the  past  Winter. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Where  is  he  now?" 

"  He  hired  for  the  season  to  Mr.  Watkins,  near  Brook- 
lyn, in  Jackson  County." 

This  report  brought  another  offer  to  become  dispatch- 


94  A    WOMAX'.S    LIFK-WORK. 

bearer  to  the  hunted  man.  The  following  day  found  John 
White  in  Canada. 

Two  days  after  George  W.  Brazier,  who  claimed  John 
White  as  his  property,  and  the  man  who  had  lost  the 
woman  and  five  children,  with  their  two  witnesses,  and 
their  lawyer,  J.  L.  Smith,  who  recently  made  me  an  all- 
day  visit,  entered  the  lowest  type  of  a  saloon  in  the  town 
near  by,  and  inquired  for  two  of  the  most  besotted  and 
wickedest  men  in  town.  Being  directed  according  to  their 
novel  inquiry,  the  men  were  found  and  hired,  making  their 
number  seven,  to  capture  John  White.  The  field  in  which 
he  had  been  at  work  was  surrounded  by  the  seven  men  at 
equal  distances.  But,  as  they  neared  the  supposed  object 
of  their  pursuit,  lo!  a  poor  white  man  was  there  instead 
of  the  prize  they  were  so  sure  of  capturing.  They  repaired 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  Watkins,  and  inquired  of  him  for  the 
whereabouts  of  John  White.  The  frank  reply  was : 

"  I  suppose  he  is  in  Canada,  as  I  took  him,  with  his 
trunk,  to  the  depot,  yesterday,  for  that  country." 

At  this  Brazier  poured  forth  a  volley  of  oaths  about 
me,  and  said  he  knew  I  had  been  there. 

"  Hold  on,  sir,  you  are  laboring  under  a  mistake.  We 
have  none  of  us  seen  her ;  and  I  want  you  to  understand 
that  there  are  others,  myself  included,  who  are  ready  to 
do  as  much  to  save  a  self-freed  slave  from  being  taken 
back  to  Southern  bondage  as  Mrs.  Haviland.  Mr.  White 
is  highly  esteemed  wherever  he  is  known ;  and  we  would 
not  see  him  go  back  from  whence  he  came  without  making 
great  effort  to  prevent  it." 

At  this  Brazier  flew  into  a  rage,  and  furiously  sw:ore  he 
would  yet  be  avenged  on  me  before  he  left  the  State." 

"  I  advise  you  to  be  more  sparing  of  your  threats.  We 
have  a  law  here  to  arrest  and  take  care  of  men  who  make 
such  threats  as  you  have  here,"  said  Mr.  Watkins. 

With  this  quietus  they  left  for  Tecumseh,  four  miles 
distant  from  us. 


BHUTIWH    THREATS.  95 

While  at  Siiell's  Hotel  they  displayed  011  the  bar-room 
table  pistols,  dirks,  and  bowie-knives,  and  pointing  to 
them,  said  Brazier,  "Here  is  what  we  use,  and  we'll  have 

the  life  of  that  d d  abolitionist,  Mrs.  Haviland,  before 

we  leave  this  State,  or  be  avenged  on  her  in  some  way.'' 
The  five  men  then  in  haste  jumped  aboard  the  stage  for 
Adrian.  As  the  authorities  were  informed  of  these  threats, 
and  Judge  Stacy  was  going  to  Adrian  on  business,  he  pro 
posed  to  leave  with  a  friend  he  was  to  pass  the  import  of 
these  threats,  fearing  they  might  quit  the  stage  while  pass- 
ing through  our  neighborhood,  and  under  cover  of  night 
commit  their  deeds  of  darkness.  I  received  the  note,  and 
told  the  bearer  I  accepted  this  as  the  outburst  of  passion 
over  their  defeat,  and  did  not  believe  they  designed  to 
carry  out  these  threats,  and  requested  the  excited  family  to 
keep  this  as  near  a  secret  as  possible,  during  a  day  or  two 
at  least,  to  save  my  children  and  the  school  this  exciting 
anxiety.  But  I  could  not  appear  altogether  stoical,  and 
consulted  judicious  friends,  who  advised  me  to  leave  my 
home  a  night  or  two  at  least.  This  was  the  saddest  mo- 
ment I  had  seen.  I  felt  that  I  could  not  conscientiously 
leave  my  home.  "If  slaveholders  wish  to  call  on  me  they 
will  find  me  here,  unless  I  have  business  away."  They  in- 
sisted that  I  should  keep  my  windows  closed  after  dark, 
and  they  would  send  four  young  men  students,  to  whom 
they  would  tell  the  secret,  with  the  charge  to  keep  it 
unless  disturbance  should  require  them  to  reveal  it.  We 
received  information  the  following  day  that  the  five  Keii- 
tuckiaus  took  the  cars  for  Toledo  on  their  arrival  at 
Adrian.  Their  threats  increased  the  excitement  already 
kindled,  and  neighbors  advised  me  not  to  remain  in  my 
house  of  nights,  as  there  might  be  hired  emissaries  to  exe- 
cute their  will.  Some  even  advised  me  to  go  to  Canada 
for  safety.  But  rest  was  mine  in  Divine  Providence. 

The  following  week  I  accompanied  an  insane  friend 
with  her  brother  to  Toledo.  The  brother  wished  me  to  go 


90  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

to  Monroe  on  business  for  them.  He  soon  informed  me 
that  the  five  Kentnckiaus  were  in  the  same  hotel  with  us, 
and  he  overheard  one  say  that  I  had  no  doubt  followed 
them  to  see  whether  they  had  found  any  of  their  run- 
aways, and  that  one  of  their  party  was  going  wherever 
I  did  to  watch  my  movements.  This  friend  also  saw  them 
consulting  with  the  barkeeper,  who  sat  opposite  at  break- 
fast table,  and  introduced  the  defeated  stratagem  of  the 
Tennessee  slave-holders  at  the  Toledo  hotel  a  few  months 
previously.  Said  he,  "I  believe  you  are  the  lady  who 
met  them  there.  Some  of  us  heard  of  it*  soon  after,  and 
we  should  have  rushed  there  in  a  hurry  if  there  had  been 
an  attempt  to  take  a  fugitive  from  our  city.  They  might 
as  well  attempt  to  eat  through  an  iron  wall  as  to  get  one 
from  us.  I  am  an  abolitionist  of  the  Garrison  stamp,  and 
there  are  others  here  of  the  same  stripe."  And  in  this 
familiar  style  he  continued,  quite  to  my  annoyance,  at  the 
table.  He  came  to  me  a  number  of  times  after  breakfast 
to  find  Avhat  he  could  do  to  assist  me  in  having  the  hack 
take  me  to  whatever  point  I  wished  to  go. 

"Are  you  going  east,  madam?" 

"Not  to-day." 

"Or  are  you  designing  to  go  south,  or  to  return  on  the 
Adrian  train?" 

"  I  shall  not  go  in  either  direction  to-day." 

Leaving  me  a  few  moments,  he  returned  with  inquiring 
whether  I  was  going  to  Monroe,  and  giving  as  the  reason 
for  his  inquiries  the  wish  to  assist  me.  I  informed  him  I 
was  going  to  take  the  ten  o'clock  boat  for  Monroe.  I 
learned  in  the  sequel  that  they  charged  me  with  secreting 
the  woman  and  five  children,  and  aiding  their  flight  to 
Canada;  but  of  them  I  knew  nothing,  until  my  Ohio 
teacher  informed  me  of  their  flight,  and  while  I  was  sus- 
pected and  watched  by  their  pursuers,  we  had  reason  to 
believe  they  were  placed  on  a  boat  at  Cleveland,  and  were 
safe  in  Canada. 


A    VISIT    TO    JANE    WHITE.  97 

We  learned  that  their  lawyer  made  inquiries  while  iu 
my  neighborhood  whether  my  farm  and  Raisin  Institute 
were  entirely  in  my  hands.  When  they  became  satisfied 
of  the  fact  they  left  orders  for  my  arrest  upon  a  United 
States  warrant,  to  be  served  the  following  Autumn,  if  they 
failed  to  recover  their  human  property.  About  the  expira- 
tion of  the  time  set  George  W.  Brazier  went  with  a  gang  of 
slaves  for  sale  to  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  and  died  suddenly 
of  cholera.  There  his  projects  ended,  and  John  White 
soon  returned  to  his  work  in  Michigan. 

These  circumstances  delayed  my  prospect  of  going  to  Cin- 
cinnati and  Rising  Sun  to  learn  the  condition  of  his  family, 
But  as  money  had  been  raised  by  the  anxious  husband  and 
father  and  his  friends,  I  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  I  found 
my  friends,  Levi  Coffin  and  family.  The  vigilant  committee 
was  called  to  his  private  parlor,  to  consult  as  to  the  most 
prudent  measure  to  adopt  in  securing  an  interview  with 
Jane  White,  John's  wife,  whose  master,  Benjamin  Stevens, 
was  her  father,  and  the  vain  hope  was  indulged  that  he 
would  not  make  an  effort  to  retake  the  family  should  they 
make  a  start  for  freedom.  The  committee  proposed  that  I 
should  go  to  Rising  Sun,  and,  through  Joseph  Edgerton 
and  Samuel  Barkshire  and  families,  obtain  an  "interview 
with  Jane  White,  as  they  were  intelligent  and  well-to-do 
colored  friends  of  John  White's  in  Rising  Sun. 

Accordingly  I  went,  and  called  on  Joseph  Edgerton's 
eating-house.  On  making  my  errand  known,  there  was 
great  rejoicing  over  good  news  from  their  esteemed  friend 
Felix  White,  as  John  was  formerly  called.  In  conferring 
with  these  friends  and  Samuel  Barkshire,  they  thought  the 
errand  could  be  taken  to  Jane,  through  Stevens's  foreman 
slave,  Solomon,  who  was  frequently  allowed  to  cross  the 
river  on  business  for  his  master,  and  was  looked  for  the 
following  Saturday.  But  as  we  were  disappointed,  Joseph's 
wife,  Mary  Edgerton,  proposed  to  go  with  me  to  Benja- 
min Stevens's,  ostensibly  to  buy  plums.  As  there  was  no 


98  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

trace  of  African  blood  perceivable  in  her,  and  the  Stevens 
family,  both  white  and  colored,  had  seen  her  mother,  who 
was  my  size,  with  blue  eyes,  straight  brown  hair,  and  skin 
as  fair  as  mine,  there  was  no  question  as  to  relationship 
when  Mary  introduced  me  to  Jane  and  her  sister  Nan  us 
Aunt  Smith  (my  maiden  name).  It  was  also  known  to 
the  Stevens  family  that  Mary  was  expecting  her  aunt  from 
Georgia  to  spend  a  few  weeks  with  her.  When  we  en- 
tered the  basement,  which  was  the  kitchen  of  the  Stevens 
house,  twelve  men  and  women  slaves  just  came  in  from  the 
harvest-field  for  their  dinner,  which  consisted  of  "corn 
dodgers"  placed  in  piles  at  convenient  distances  on  the 
bare  table,  made  of  two  long  rough  boards  on  crossed  legs. 
A  large  pitcher  filled  as  full  as  its  broken  top  would  allow 
of  sour  milk,  and  a  saucer  of  greens,  with  a  small  piece 
of  pork  cut  in  thin  slices,  were  divided  among  the  hands, 
who  were  seated  on  the  edge  of  their  table,  except  a  few 
who  occupied  stools  and  broken  chairs.  Not  a  whole 
earthen  dish  or  plate  was  on  that  table.  A  broken  knife 
or  fork  was  placed  by  each  plate,  and  they  used  each 
other's  knife  or  fork,  and  ate  their  humble  repast  with  ap- 
parent zest.  I  have  given  this  harvest  dinner  in  detail,  as 
Benjamin"  Stevens  was  called  a  remarkably  kind  master. 
It  was  frequently  remarked  by  surrounding  planters  "  that 
the  Stevens  niggers  thought  they  were  white." 

As  we  were  informed  they  had  no  plums  for  sale,  Mary 
proposed  filling  our  "Duckets"  with  blackberries,  as  there 
were  an  abundance  within  a  short  distance,  and  asked 
Jane  if  she  or  Nan  could  not  go  and  show  ns  the  way. 
"I'll  go  an'  ask  Misus  Agnes,"  replied  Nan,  who  soon  re- 
turned with  the  word  that  Jane  might  go,  as  she  wanted 
to  make  another  batch  of  jam.  "But  she  says  we  must 
get  dinner  for  Mary  and  her  aunt  first."  A  small  table- 
cloth was  placed  over  one  end  of  the  table,  and  wheat 
bread,  butter,  honey,  and  a  cream-pitcher  of  sweet  milk 
was  brought  down  for  us.  Not  a  child  of  the  nine  little 


A     REVELATION.  99 

ones  playing  in  the  kitchen  asked  for  a  taste  of  anything 
<luring  or  after  our  meal.  All  that  was  left  was  taken  up 
stairs,  and  we  were  invited  to  call  on  Mrs.  Agues,  who  re- 
ceived us  cordially.  She  was  teaching  Jane's  oldest  daugh- 
ter, of  seven  years,  to  sew.  After  a  few  minutes  chat  with 
the  mistress,  we  left  for  blackberries. 

When  out  of  sight,  I  told  Jane  I  was  the  one  who 
wrote  a  letter  for  her  husband,  Felix  White,  to  her,  and 
directed  it  to  Samuel  Barkshire,  who  told  me  he  read  it  to 
her,  but  did  not  dare  take  it  from  his  house,  but  took  the 
braid  of  his  hair  tied  with  blue  ribbon,  sent  in  the  letter. 
She  looked  at  me  in  amazement  for  a  moment,  when  she 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears.  As  soon  as  she  could  command 
her  feelings  she  said  her  master  had  told  her  that  he  had 
heard  from  Felix,  and  that  he  was  married  again,  and  was 
riding  around  with  his  new  wife  mighty  happy.  When  I 
gave  her  the  errand  from  her  husband  she  was  again  con- 
vulsed with  weeping.  Said  she,  "  I  would  gladly  work 
day  and  night,  until  my  fingers  and  toes  are  without  a 
nail,  and  willingly  see  my  children  work  in  the  same 
way,  could  we  only  be  with  Felix."  Poor  heartbroken 
woman,  she  sighed  like  a  sobbing  child.  But  two  of  her 
children  were  out  a  few  miles  with  one  of  the  Stevens  mar- 
ried children,  to  be  gone  two  months,  and  she  sent  a  re- 
quest to  her  husband  to  come  on  the  sly  to  assist  in  bring- 
ing their  children  away  after  the  return  of  the  absent  ones, 
so  that  all  might  go  together.  I  assisted  her  in  picking 
berries,  as  she  had  spent  so  much  of  her  time  in  talking 
and  weeping  her  mistress  might  complain.  I  gave  her  a 
little  memento  from  her  husband,  and  left  the  poor  heart- 
stricken,  crushed  spirit. 

The  daughter  and  grandchildren  of  the  master  with- 
held them  from  going  to  their  natural  protector,  yet  he 
was  called  one  of  the  best  of  slave-holders.  Here  was  a 
woman  and  sister  whose  widowhood  was  more  desolate  than 
even  death  had  made  my  own.  And  her  poor  children 


100  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

were  worse  than  fatherless.  I  returned  to  my  home  and 
anxious  children  and  friends. 

But  the  grieved  husband  felt  confident  his  intimate 
friend  William  Allen,  who  would  have  left  for  freedom 
long  ago  but  for  his  wife  and  child,  would  assist  Jane  and 
the  children  could  he  know  from  him  how  many  warm 
friends  there  were  in  the  North  to  assist  them.  His  friends, 
as  well  as  himself,  were  anxious  to  make  another  trial 
without  the  risk  of  his  going  into  the  lion's  den.  Means 
being  provided,  three  months  later  found  me  again  in  Ris- 
ing Sun.  After  a  little  waiting  to  see  William  Allen,  I 
took  a  boat  and  went  four  miles  below  on  the  Kentucky 
side,  and  called  at  the  house  of  his  master  to  wait  for  a 
boat  going  up  the  river  within  a  few  hours. 

As  they  were  having  a  great  excitement  over  counter- 
feiters, and  were  making  great  efforts  to  find  the  rogues, 
and  looking  upon  every  stranger  with  suspicion,  I  was  be- 
lieved by  my  host  to  be  one  of  them  in  disguise.  Within 
an  hour  after  my  arrival  the  sheriff  and  a  deputy  were 
brought  into  an  adjoining  room.  The  lady  of  the  house 
appeared  excited.  Her  little  girl  inquired  who  those 
strange  gentlemen  were;  she  replied  the  sheriff  and  his  dep- 
uty. I  looked  up  from  the  paper  I  was  busily  reading,  and 
entered  into  conversation  with  the  lady  of  the  house,  when 
I  overhead  one  man  say,  "I  don't  think  there  is  anything 
wrong  about  that  woman."  This  remark  led  me  to  sup- 
pose I  might  be  the  object  of  the-  undertone  conversation 
among  the  gentlemen  in  the  adjoining  room.  Soon  after 
the  three  gentlemen  came  into  the  room,  with  whom  I 
passed  the  usual  "good  afternoon."  One,  whom  I  took  to 
be  the  sheriff,  made  a  few  remarks  over  fine  weather,  etc., 
and  all  three  returned  to  their  room.  Said  one,  in  a  low 
voice,  "I  tell  you  that  woman  is  all  right;  she's  no  coun- 
terfeiter." My  excited  hostess  became  calm,  and  quite 
social,  and  made  excuses  for  having  to  look  after  the  cook- 
ing of  her  turkey,  as  she  allowed  her  cook  to  spend  this 


INTERVIEW    WITH    WILLIAM    ALLEN.  101 

Sabbath  with  her  husband  iu  visitiug  one  of  their  friends. 
'*  And  I  always  burn  and  blister  my  hands  whenever  I 
make  an  attempt  at  cooking.  But  my  cook  is  so  faithful 
1  thought  I  would  let  her  go  to-day." 

As  I  gave  up  the  idea  of  seeing  William  Allen,  I  was 
about  to  go  to  the  wharf-boat  and  wait  there  for  the  five- 
o'clock  boat.  But  she  urged  me  to  take  dinner  with  them, 
as  I  would  have  plenty  of  time.  After  dinner  they  di- 
rected me  across  a  pasture-field  that  would  shorten  the 
half-mile.  Just  out  of  sight  of  the  house  I  met  William 
Allen,  with  his  wife  and  little  girl  of  ten  years.  As  they 
were  so  well  described  by  John — or  Felix,  as  he  was  here 
known — I  recognized  them,  and  gave  the  message  from 
their  friend,  from  whom  they  rejoiced  to  hear.  He  said 
he  longed  to  be  free,  and  thought  two  weeks  from  that 
day  he  could  go  over  to  Samuel  Bark^hire's  to  see  me. 
During  this  time  he  would  deliver  the  message  to  Jane. 
At  present,  he  said,  it  would  be  very  difficult  crossing,  as 
there  was  great  excitement  over  men  that  passed  a  lot  of 
counterfeit  money  in  that  neighborhood,  and  they  were 
watching  for  them.  I  told  him  it  was  not  safe  for  us  to 
talk  longer  there,  as  they  were  slaves,  and  I  was  not  free 
to  be  seen  talking  with  them,  and  gave  them  the  parting 
hand,  informing  them  that  many  prayers  of  Christian 
people  of  the  North  were  daily  ascending  for  the  deliver- 
ance of  the  slave.  "May  God  grant  the  answer!"  was  the 
heartfelt  reply. 

During  the  two  weeks  Mary  Scott  was  introduced,  who 
had  recently  bought  herself,  with  her  free  husband's  aid. 
She  related  to  me  the  sad  condition  of  her  sister,  Rachel 
Beach,  who  was  the  slave  of  Mr.  Ray,  the  brother  of 
Wright  Ray,  of  Madison,  Indiana,  the  noted  negro  catcher. 
She  was  the  kept  mistress  of  her  master,  who  held  her  and 
her  five  children,  who  were  his  own  flesh  and  blood,  as  his 
property.  After  her  sister  Rachel's  religious  experience, 
she  was  much  distressed  over  the  life  she  was  compelled  to 


102  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

lead  with  her  master.  She  had  often  wept  with  her  weep- 
ing sister.  When  she  thought  of  escaping,  she  could  not 
leave  her  five  little  children  to  her  own  sad  fate.  As  I 
was  informed  that  Mary  Scott  was  a  reliable  Christian 
woman,  I  gave  her  a  plan,  and  names  of  persons  and  places 
of  safety,  with  a  charge  not  to  stop  over  the  second  night — 
if  possible,  to  avoid  it — at  the  first  place  named  ;  for  it  was 
too  near  her  master's  brother,  Wright  Ray,  as  he  would 
make  great  efforts  to  retake  them. 

This  plan  was  adopted.  But  they  were  kept  two  days 
at  Luther  Donald's  station,  which  brought  them  into  great 
difficulty.  He  was  so  well  known  as  the  slave's  friend  it 
was  unsafe  to  secrete  fugitives  on  his  own  premises ;  and 
he  placed  them  in  an  out-house  of  one  of  his  friends.  On 
the  second  night  of  their  flight,  when  they  were  to  be 
taken  to  the  nex,t  station,  Wright  Ray  was  on  their  track, 
and  entered  the  neighborhood  at  dark  twilight,  filling  it 
with  excitement  on  the  part  of  both  friends  and  foes.  The 
cry  of  a  child  brought  a  neighbor  to  their  hiding-place, 
who  told  her  she  was  unsafe ;  but  he  would  take  her  and 
the  children  to  his  barn,  where  they  would  be  perfectly 
secure.  Soon  after  her  new  friend  left  her  she  felt  in  great 
danger,  and  when  her  children  were  asleep  in  their  bed  of 
stalks  she  ventured  to  place  herself  by  the  road-side. 
Here  she  heard  horses  coming,  and  listened  to  hear  the 
voice  of  their  riders,  to  see  if  she  could  recognize  her  first 
friends,  as  they  had  told  her  they  were  going  to  take  them 
to  another  place  of  safety  that  night ;  but,  to  her  grief, 
she  heard  the  voice  of  Wright  Ray,  with  his  posse.  Filled 
with  fear  of  capture,  she  groped  her  way  still  farther  back 
in  the  dark.  After  her  pursuers  passed  she  heard  two  men 
coming,  in  low  conversation.  She  prayed  for  direction, 
and  felt  impressed,  as  she  said,  to  tell  these  men  her 
trouble.  They  proved  to  be  her  friends,  who  missed  them  as 
they  went  to  take  their  suppers.  As  Ray  and  his  company 
were  known  to  be  in  town,  they  knew  not  but  they  were 


IX  SUSPENSE.  103 

captured.  Runners  were  sent  to  the  usual  resorts  of  slave- 
hunters,  to  see  if  any  clew  could  be  learned  of  the  fate  of 
the  missing  family. 

"  O,  how  I  prayed  God  to  deliver  me  in  this  my  great 
distress!"  she  said,  in  relating  her  flight  in  my  interview 
with  her  in  Canada.  She  led  her  two  friends  to  the  barn, 
from  whence  her  sleeping  children  were  removed ;  but  by 
the  time  they  reached  the  road  they  saw  the  lantern,  and 
heard  rustling  of  stalks  by  her  pursuers.  As  her  new 
friend  was  a  well-known  friend  to  slave-hunters,  she  and 
her  children  were  still  in  great  danger.  She  was  dressed 
in  men's  clothing,  and  her  girls  dressed  like  boys,  and  they 
were  taken  out  in  different  directions.  Rachel  and  the 
youngest  child  her  guide  took  to  a  Quaker  neighborhood, 
while  two  men  took  each  two  girls  on  their  horses  and  took 
different  roads  to  other  places  of  safety ;  but  no  two  of 
the  three  parties  knew  of  the  others'  destination.  Two 
days  of  distressing  anxiety  were  passed  before  a  word 
reached  the  mother  from  her  children.  Not  knowing  but 
they  were  back  to  their  old  Kentucky  home,  she  could 
neither  eat  iior  sleep  for  weeping  and  praying  over  the 
probable  loss  of  her  children  But  her  joy  could  not  find 
expression  when  two  of  them  were  brought  to  her.  At 
first  sight  of  her  darlings,  she  cried  out,  "Glory  to  God! 
he  has  sent  me  two  more.  But  where,  O,  where  are  the 
other  two?"  The  two  men  who  brought  these  iu  their 
close  carriage  could  give  no  tidings,  as  they  had  heard 
nothing  from  them  since  leaving  Donald  Station.  Rachel 
continued  weeping  for  her  children  because  they  were  not. 
On  the  following  day  they  were  heard  from,  and  that  they 
Avoukl  l)e  brought  on  the  following  day,  P.  M. 

A  number  of  the  neighbors  were  invited  to  witness  the 
meeting.  Among  them  was  a  strong  pro-slavery  man  and 
his  family,  who  had  often  said  the  abolitionists  might  as 
well  come  to  his  barn  and  steal  his  horse  or  wheat  as  to  keep 
slave-holders  out  of  their  slave  property;  yet  he  was  uat- 

8 


104  A    WOMAN'S    LJFK-WOllK. 

nrally  a  sympathetic  man.  This  Quaker  abolitionist  knew 
it  would  do  him  good  to  wituess  the  anticipated  scene. 
The  knowledge  of  the  prospective  arrival  of  the  children 
was  carefully  kept  from  the  mother  until  she  saw  them 
coming  through  the  gate,  when  she  cried  aloud,  as  she  sank 
on  the  floor,  "Glory;  hallelujah  to  the  Lamb!  You  sent 
me  all."  She  sobbed  as  she  clasped  them  to  her  bosom, 
continuing,  in  an  ecstasy,  "Bless  the  Lord  forever!  He 
is  so  good  to  poor  me."  The  little  girls  threw  their  arms 
around  their  mother's  neck,  and  burst  into  a  loud  cry  for 
joy.  "  But  the  weeping  was  not  confined  to  them,"  said 
our  Quaker  sister,  who  was  present.  "There  was  not  a 
dry  eye  in  that  house;  and  our  pro-slavely  neighbor  cried 
as  hard  as  any  of  us." 

After  the  excitement  died  away  a  little,  said  one, 
"Now,  we  must  adopt  a  plan  to  take  this  family  on  to 
Canada." 

The  pro-slavery  man  was  the  first  to  say,  "I'll  take 
my  team,  and  take  them  where  they  '11  be  safe,  if  I  have 
to  take  them  all  the  way." 

Another  said,  "  It  is  cold  weather,  and  we  see  these 
children  have  bare  feet;  and  we  must  see  about  getting 
them  stockings  and  shoes  and  warm  clothing." 

And  the  little  daughter  of  him  who  had  so  generously 
offered  his  services  in  aiding  this  family  beyond  the  reach 
of  danger  sat  down  on  the  carpet  and  commenced  taking 
off  hers,  saying,  "She  can  have  mine." 

"  But,  Lotty,  what  will  you  do?"  said  the  mother. 

"  O,  papa  can  get  me  some  more." 

"  Yes,  papa  will  get  you  some  more,"  said  her  father, 
wiping  his  eyes;  "and  your  shoes  and  stockings  will  just 
fit  that  little  girl."  And  the  mother  could  hardly  keep 
her  from  leaving  them.  But  she  told  her  to  wear  them 
home  and  put  others  on,  then  bring  them  back. 

Said  our  informant,  "  I  will  warrant  that  man  will 
hereafter  become  a  stockholder." 


DEATH    OP    FIRST-BORN.  105 

But  the  rescue  ot  the  Beach  family  cost  Luther  Donald 
his  farm.  He  was  sued  arid  found  guilty  of  harboring 
runaway  slaves  and  assisting  them  to  escape.  But  not  one 
sentence  of  truthful  evidence  was  brought  against  him  in 
court ;  although  he  did  aid  the  Beach  family  when  a  stay 
of  three  minutes  longer  in  their  dangerous  hiding-place 
would  have  secured  their  return  to  a  life  of  degradation. 
Friends  of  the  fugitive  made  up  the  loss  in  part,  and  the 
God  of  the  oppressed  blessed  him  still  more  abundantly. 
He  was  diligent  in  business,  serving  the  Lord. 

While  rejoicing  over  the  safe  arrival  of  the  Beach 
family  in  Canada,  heavy  tidings  reached  me  from  home. 
In  a  letter  I  was  informed  of  the  illness  of  my  eldest  sou. 
Before  the  boat  arrived  that  was  to  bear  me  homeward  a 
second  letter  came  with  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death 
of  my  first-born.  Oh,  how  my  poor  heart  was  wrung  with 
anxiety  to  learn  the  state  of  his  mind  as  he  left  the  shores 
of  time.  Why  did  not  the  writer  relieve  me  by  giving 
the  information  I  most  needed?  And  yet  I  was  advised 
to  remain  until  the  weather  became  more  mild.  I  had  a 
severe  cough  that  followed  an  attack  of  pneumonia,  and 
physicians  had  advised  me  to  spend  the  Winter  in  a  milder 
climate.  But  this  bereavement  seemed  impelling  me  to 
return  to  my  afflicted  children.  But  more  than  all  other 
considerations  was  to  learn  the  state  of  that  dear  child's 
mind  as  he  was  about  leaving  the  land  of  the  dying  for 
the  spirit  world  of  the  living.  He  had  been  a  living  Chris- 
tian, but  during  the  year  past  had  become  more  inactive, 
and  in  a  conversation  on  the  subject  a  few  days  previous 
to  my  leaving,  he  expressed  regrets  in  not  being  more 
faithful.  He  urged  me  to  take  this  trip,  yet  I  could  not 
but  regret  leaving  home.  "Oh  my  sou,  my  son  Harvey, 
would  to  God  I  had  died  for  thee !"  In  this  distress,  border- 
ing upon  agony  of  soul,  I  walked  my  room  to  and  fro,  pray- 
ing for  an  evidence  of  his  condition.  In  the  conversation 
above  alluded  to  he  expressed  a  sincere  desire  to  return. 


106  A  WOMAN'S  MFE-WORK. 

Said  he,  "I  am  too  much  like  the  prodigal,  too  far  away 
from  my  Savior."  How  vividly  did  his  words  come  before 
me.  Oh,  how  these  words  ran  through  my  mind  in  this 
hour  of  sore  trial.  Is  this  the  Isaac,  I  dwelt  upon  as  I  was 
leaving  my  home,  that  I  may  be  called  to  sacrifice?  I 
had  in  mind  my  sou  Daniel,  who  was  fearful  I  would 
meet  trouble  from  slave-holders,  as  he  remarked  to  his 
brother  Harvey,  "Mother  is  a  stranger  to  fear,  though  she 
might  be  in  great  danger." 

"That  fact,  seems  to  me,  secures  her  safety,"  replied 
Harvey. 

As  I  overheard  this  conversation  I  shrank  from  the 
trial  of  leaving  my  home  circle,  in  which  death  had  made 
such  inroads,  and  for  the  time  being  doubted  whether  I 
was  called  upon  to  make  the  sacrifice.  But  prayer  was 
now  constant  for  an  evidence  of  my  son's  condition,  whether 
prepared  for  exchange  of  worlds.  He  who  spake  peace  to 
the  troubled  sea  granted  the  answer  of  peace,  Avith  an 
assurance  that  my  prayer  was  answered,  and  that  in  his 
own  good  time  he  would  make  it  manifest. 

I  took  the  boat  for  Cincinnati,  and  on  the  morning 
after  my  arrival  at  the  home  of  my  valued  friends,  Lev! 
Coffin  and  wife,  I  awoke  with  a  comforting  dream,  which 
but  for  the  circumstances  I  would  not  record.  I  find  in  the 
written  Word  of  divine  truth  that  God,  at  sundry  times, 
made  himself  known  to  his  faithful  servants  in  dreams. 
And  he  is  the  same  in  all  ages,  in  answering  their  peti- 
tions and  meeting  their  wants.  In  the  dream  I  thought  I 
was  living  in  the  basement  of  a  beautiful  mansion.  Being 
rather  dark,  damp,  and  cool,  I  looked  for  some  means  of 
warming  my  apartments,  when  I  discovered  the  windows 
conveyed  beautiful  rays  of  sunlight  sufficient  to  dry  and 
warm  apartments  designed  for  only  a  temporary  residence, 
as  my  future  home  was  to  be  in  the  splendid  apartments 
above,  which  I  was  not  to  be  permitted  to  enter  until 
the  work  assigned  me  in  the  basement  was  done.  While 


A    COMFORTING    DREAM.  107 

busily  engaged  in  sweeping  my  room,  and  arranging  my 
work,  I  saw  my  son  Harvey  descending  from  the  upper 
portion  of  this  limitless  mansion,  which  I  thought  was  now 
his  home.  I  hastened  to  the  door  to  meet  him.  As  the 
thought  struck  me  that  he  had  been  a  slave,  I  cried  out, 
"My  son  Harvey,  art  thou  free?" 

"  Oh  yes,  mother,  I  am  free;  and  I  knew  your  anxiety, 
and  I  came  on  purpose  to  tell  you  that  I  went  to  my  Mas- 
ter and  asked  if  he  would  grant  my  pardon  ?  And  he 
looked  upon  me  and  saw  me  in  my  blood  as  I  plowed  in 
the  field,  and  he  said  I  should  be  free  and  live." 

"Oh,  what  a  relief  is  this  glad  news,"  I  replied. 

"  I  knew  you  desired  me  to  go  for  my  freedom  long  ago, 
but  I  did  not  know  that  my  liberty  would  be  so  easily 
granted — just  for  asking.  I  am  now  free,  indeed." 

This  message  delivered,  lie  ascended  to  his  glorious 
home  above.  I  awoke  with  the  words  of  this  message  as 
clearly  impressed  upon  my  mind  as  if  vocally  spoken.  I 
opened  the  Bible  at  the  head  of  my  bed,  and  the  first 
words  that  met  my  eye  were  these:  "  I  saw  Ephraim  cast 
out  in  the  open  field ;  I  saw  him  in  his  blood,  and  I  said 
live ;  and  he  shall  live."  With  promises  given  by  him 
with  whom  there  is  no  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning, 
my  heart  was  filled  with  praise  and  thanksgiving  for  the 
Comforter  who  grants  peace  such  as  the  world  knows  not 
of.  Very  soon  a  letter  came  with  the  detailed  account  of 
the  last  hours  of  my  sou  Harvey,  in  which  he  left  a  bright 
evidence  of  his  preparation  for  the  future  life.  He  sent 
for  Rev.  John  Patchiu,  of  Raisin  Institute,  of  whom  he 
requested  prayer;  at  the  close  of  which  he  followed  in 
fervent  prayer  for  himself  and  loved  ones.  Then  brother 
Patchin  inquired  if  perfect  peace  was  his  at  this  hour? 
"It  is,"  he  answered;  "I  am  ready  to  go,'"  and  he  soon 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

I  remained  a  few  weeks  longer ;  but  the  close  search  for 
counterfeiters  made  it  difficult  for  William  Allen  to  cross. 


108  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

The  request  was  repeated  by  John  White's  wife  for  him  to 
come  for  them.  I  returned  home  with  the  consciousness 
of  having  done  all  that  I  could  in  delivering  the  messages 
as  requested.  The  husband  and  father  could  not  feel  recon- 
ciled to  give  up  his  family  to  a  life  of  slavery,  and  went  for 
them,  and  brought  them  a  few  miles  on  the  Indiana  side, 
above  Rising  Sun.  They  secreted  themselves  during  the 
day  in  the  woods,  and  with  the  aid  of  his  friend  and  Solo- 
mon Stevens's  slave,  previously  alluded  to,  who  was  also 
attempting  to  escape  with  the  family,  he  made  a  raft  upon 
which  they  were  about  to  cross  a  creek  to  reach  the  team 
on  the  opposite  side.  Suddenly  six  armed  men  pounced 
upon  them,  and  captured  the  family,  with  Solomon.  To 
save  John  from  the  hazardous  attempt  to  defend  his  family, 
his  friend  held  him  back  in  the  thicket,  knowing  the  effort 
must  fail.  As  he  was  not  allowed  to  move  he  sank  back 
in  despair  in  the  arms  of  his  friend.  He  had  risked  his 
own  life  and  liberty  in  his  attempt  to  rescue  them.  He 
learned  that  George  W.  Brazier  swore  he  would  chop  him 
into  inches  if  he  ever  got  possession  of  him  again.  After 
his  unsuccessful  effort  in  Michigan  he  offered  six  hundred 
dollars  for  his  head,  dead  or  alive.  Benjamin  Stevens  also 
offered  six  hundred  dollars  reward  for  his  daughter  and  his 
five  grandchildren,  with  Solomon.  He  afterwards  -sold 
them  all  for  the  very  low  price  of  one  thousand  dollars, 
with  the  proviso  that  they  were  not  to  be  sold  apart. 

But  poor  Jane  was  not  left  long  to  grieve  over  her  dis- 
appointed hopes.  She  died  of  cholera.  We  heard  slie 
went  rejoicing  in  that  hope  that  reaches  beyond  the  vale. 
They  were  taken  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  but  the  grieved 
husband  and  father  again  made  his  way  northward.  He 
was  two  weeks  in  reaching  a  settlement  that  was  said  to  be 
friendly  to  fugitive  slaves.  Forty  miles  distant  from  his  old 
Kentucky  home  he  assumed  the  name  of  James  Armstrong. 
The  family  upon  whom  he  ventured  to  call  appeared  very 
kind,  and  the  man  told  him  he  would  take  him  the  next  dav 


JOHN    WHITE    A    PRISONER.  109 

to  a  Quaker  settlement,  but  he  suspected  he  was  reported  to 
Wright  Ray  and  posse,  who  came  into  the  house  and  bound 
him.  Placing  him  on  one  of  their  horses,  they  took  him 
through  fields  and  back  roads  until  they  crossed  the  Ohio 
river,  and  lodged  him  in  the  Woodford  jail,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  river,  nearly  opposite  Madison,  Indiana. 
Wright  Ray  had  no  idea  of  having  in  his  possession  John 
White,  who  had  so  recently  eluded  his  grasp  in  his  unsuc- 
cessful trip  with  Brazier  in  Michigan.  He  found  among 
his  papers  in  which  were  advertisements  of  escaped  slaves, 
Henry  Armstrong  advertised  as  belonging  to  the  widow 
Armstrong,  of  Maysville,  Kentucky.  With  her  Wright 
Ray  had  an  interview,  hoping  to  arrange  for  the  reward, 
which  she  refused  to  give,  for  he  had  been  away  so  long, 
he  would  be  of  little  use,  as  Henry  was  willed  free  at 
her  death.  But  she  told  him  if  he  could  get  enough  from 
him  to  pay  him  for  his  trouble,  he  might  do  so.  Conse- 
quently he  made  him  an  offer  to  release  him  for  four  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  encouraged  him  to  write  to  his  friends 
in  Michigan  to  aid  him  to  that  amount.  He  wrote  to  a 
son-in-law  of  Mr.  Watkius,  so  as  not  to  mention  a  name 
of  persons  the  men  had  to  do  with  in  Michigan,  and  the 
letter  was  brought  to  us.  We  all  understood  the  writer 
to  be  our  friend  John  White. 

A  few  friends  were  consulted  as  to  the  measures  to  l>e 
adopted.  It  was  proposed  that  I  should  go  to  Cincinnati, 
and  there  make  such  arrangements  as  the  friends  might 
think  proper.  As  they  proposed  to  bear  my  expenses,  I 
said,  "  If  you  send  me,  I  shall  go  to-morrow  morning." 

"But,"  replied  the  bearer  of  the  letter,  "as  it  is  the 
Sabbath,  I  suppose  I  should  hesitate." 

"  It  was  lawful  on  the  Sabbath  to  lift  a  sheep  out  of 
the  ditch-  in  the  days  of  Moses,  and  is  not  a  man  better 
than  a  sheep?" 

"  I  can  not  answer  you.  All  I  have  to  say  is,  follow 
the  dictates  of  vour  own  conscience." 


110  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  took  the  stage  at  Toledo,  and  in  three  days  I  was 
consulting  the  vigilance  committee  in  Levi  Coffin's  council 
chamber.  As  it  would  not  do  for  me  to  transact  business 
with  Wright  Ray,  Micajah  White,  nephew  of  Catherine 
Coffin,  offered  to  go  as  soon  as  the  money  was  obtained. 
Levi  Coffin  introduced  me  to  Dr.  Judkius,  of  whom  I 
hired  the  money,  but  hoped  to  lessen  the  amount  if  pos- 
sible, in  the  arrangement  with  Wright  Ray.  I  urged  on 
the  nephew  the  necessity  of  taking  the  first  boat  for  Mad- 
ison, as  every  hour  endangered  the  safety  of  John  White. 
Whatever  was  done  for  him  must  be  done  quickly. 
Wright  Ray  was  found  very  willing  to  accept  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars,  which  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  clerk  of  the  boat  until  his  prisoner  was  delivered  to 
his  friends  in  Cincinnati,  when  Micajah  White  agreed  to 
see  the  money  paid  to  Wright  Ray.  This  was  done,  and 
within  three  weeks  from  the  time  I  left  home  I  returned 
with  John  White.  The  day  after  John's  release  Brazier 
appeared  at  the  jail,  having  heard  that  he  was  there. 
But  he  was  too  late. 

A  few  months  after  John  White's  release  from  Wood- 
ford  jail  George  W.  Brazier  went  to  Baton  Rouge,  Louis- 
iana, with  a  gang  of  slaves  for  sale,  and  suddenly  died  of 
cholera,  just  before  the  time  fixed  for  his  return.  It  was 
said  he  intended  to  make  a  second  effort  to  capture  John 
White,  or  to  arrest  me  with  United  States  warrant.  Time 
rolled  on,  and  John  F.  White  married  a  young  woman  in 
Canada,  his  home  a  number  of  years.  After  the  late  war 
he  removed  to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  to  educate  his  chil- 
dren. When  we  last  heard  of  his  first  children,  his  oldest 
daughter  was  married  to  Solomon,  the  ex-slave  of  Benja- 
min Stevens.  We  rejoice  that  brighter  days  are  dawning. 
Ethiopia  is  stretching  out  her  hands  to  God. 


NINE   ESCAPED   SLAVES.  Ill 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  UNDERGROUND  RAILWAY. 

As  my  married  children  had  charge  of  the  farm,  and 
the  younger  ones  were  in  school,  and  well  provided  for, 
I  spent  a  few  months  in  mission  work  and  nursing  the 
sick.  My  dear  friends,  Levi  and  Catherine  Coffin,  had 
given  me  a  very  cordial  invitation  to  make  their  house  my 
home  whenever  I  was  in  Cincinnati.  Soon  after  my  ar- 
rival, at  early  dawn,  nine  slaves  crossed  the  river,  and 
were  conducted  to  one  of  our  friends  on  Walnut  Hills  for 
safety,  until  arrangements  could  be  made  to  forward  them 
to  Victoria's  domain.  I  called  on  them  to  see  what  was 
needed  for  their  Northern  march,  and  found  them  filled 
with  fear  lest  they  should  be  overtaken.  As  there  was  a 
prospect  before  them  of  being  taken  down  the  river,  they 
concluded  to  "  paddle  their  own  canoe."  They  had  with 
them  their  five  little  folks,  that  seemed  as  full  of  fear  as 
were  their  trembling  parents.  A  little  girl  of  five  years  raised 
the  window-shade  to  look  out.  When  her  mother  discov- 
ered her  she  exclaimed,  in  a  half-smothered  voice,  "Why, 
Em!  you'll  have  us  all  kotehed,  if  you  don't  mind;"  and 
the  little  thing  dropped  behind  a  chair  like  a  frightened 
young  partridge  hiding  under  a  leaf  at  the  mother's  alarm 
of  danger.  While  making  our  plans,  we  were  greatly  re- 
lieved to  find  that  the  well-known  Quaker  conductor,  Will- 
iam Beard,  was  in  the  city,  with  a  load  of  produce  from 
his  farm.  This  covered  market-wagon  was  a  safe  car,  that 
had  borne  many  hundreds  to  his  own  depot,  and  was  now 
ready  for  more  valuable  freight  before  the  city  should  be 
filled  with  slave-hunters.  But  few  weeks  elapsed  before 


112  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

we  learned  of  the  safe  arrival  of  these  two  families  that 
we  fitted  for  their  journey  to  Canada. 

One  of  our  vigilance  committee  came  early  one  morn- 
ing to  inform  us  that  there  were  two  young  men  just  ar- 
rived, who  were  secreted  in  the  basement  of  Zion  Baptist 
Church  (colored).  As  their  home  was  only  twenty-five 
miles  from  the  river,  it  was  necessary  to  make  all  possible 
speed  in  removing  them  before  Kentucky  slave -hunters 
should  block  our  track.  I  took  their  measures,  to  procure 
for  each  a  Summer  suit,  and  went  to  our  store  of  new  and 
second-hand  clothing,  at  Levi  Coffin's,  where  anti-slavery 
women  met  tri-monthly,  to  spend  a  day  in  making  and  re- 
pairing clothing  for  fugitive  slaves.  In  early  evening  I 
took  a  large  market-basket,  with  a  suit  for  each,  and  had 
them  conducted  to  a  safer  hiding-place,  until  a  way  opened 
for  them  to  go  to  a  Friends'  settlement,  about  eighty  miles 
distant,  where  George  chose  to  remain  and  work  a  few 
months.  But  James  would  not  risk  his  liberty  by  tarrying, 
and  censured  George  for  running  such  a  risk.  "  You 
need  n't  think  your  new  name 's  gwine  to  save  you  when 
ole  massa  comes." 

But  little  did  James  understand  the  deep-hidden  reason 
that  kept  his  friend  George  behind.  He  worked  faithfully 
nearly  a  year,  kept  the  suit  I  gave  him  for  his  Sunday 
suit,  and  used  his  old  Kentucky  suit  for  his  work,  patching 
them  himself,  until  patch  upon  patch  nearly  covered  the 
old  brown  jeans  of  his  plantation  wear.  When  warm 
weather  again  returned,  without  revealing  his  design  of 
going  back  to  his  master  in  Kentucky,  for  he-  knew  his 
abolition  friends  would  discourage  his  project,  he  took  the 
eighty  dollars  he  had  earned  since  he  left  his  master,  and 
wore  the  suit  of  clothes  he  brought  away,  and  in  the  dark- 
ness of  night  went  to  his  wife's  cabin.  Here  he  gave  a 
full  history  of  the  kind  friends  who  had  paid  good  wages 
for  his  work,  and  said  he  was  going  to  take  all  to  his 
master,  and  tell  him  he  was  sick  of  freedom;  "and  you 


TOM  RETURNS  TO  SLAVERY.          113 

mus'  be  mighty  mad,"  he  went  on,  "'case  I  come  back; 
and  say,  '  If  he 's  a  mind  to  make  sich  a  fool  of  his  self, 
as  to  be  so  jubus,  'case  I  talked  leetle  while  wid  Jake,  long 
time  ago,  as  to  run  off  an'  leave  me,  he  may  go.  He 
need  n't  think  I  '11  take  'im  back ;  I  won't  have  nothin'  to 
say  to  'im,  never!'  An'  I'll  quarrel  'bout  you  too;  an' 
when  all  ov  'em  is  done  fussin'  'bout  me  comiu'  back,  I'll 
steal  to  you  in  a  dark  night,  an'  lay  a  plan  to  meet  on 
Lickin'  River ;  an'  we  '11  take  a  skiff  an'  muffle  oars  till 
we  get  to  the  Ohio ;  an'  I  knows  jus'  whar  to  go  in  any 
dark  night,  an'  we  '11  be  free  together.  I  did  n't  tell  Jim 
I 's  gwine  to  make  massa  b'leve  all  my  lies  to  get  you ;  for 
I  tell  you,  Liz,  I  ain't  got  whole  freedom  without  you." 

Before  eight  o'clock  A.  M.  George  stood  before  his 
master,  with  his  old  name  and  old  plantation  suit,  present- 
ing him  with  the  eighty  dollars  he  had  earned  for  his 
master  since  he  had  left  his  home,  that  he  never  wanted  to 
leave  again.  For  he  had  found  "  abolitioners  the  greates' 
rascals  I  ever  seen.  I  wants  no  more  ov'  em.  They 
tried  hard  to  git  me  to  Canada;  but  I  got  all  I  wants 
of  Canada.  An'  I  tell  you,  Massa  Carpenter,  all  I  wants 
is  one  good  stiddy  home.  I  do  n't  want  this  money ;  it 's 
yourn." 

His  master  was  well  pleased,  and  told  all  his  neighbors 
how  happy  his  Tom  was  to  get  back  again,  and  gave  all 
the  money  he  had  earned  since  he  had  been  gone.  It  was 
a  long  time  before  neighboring  planters  had  the  confidence 
in  Tom  that  his  master  had,  and  they  told  him  that  Tom 
should  never  step  his  foot  on  their  plantations ;  but  he  told 
them  all  that  he  had  perfect  confidence  in  Tom's  honesty. 
' '  He  came  back  perfectly  disgusted  with  abolitionists ;  he 
said  they  will  work  a  fellow  half  to  death  for  low  wages. 
And  he  even  patched  his  old  suit,  himself,  that  he  wore  off. 
And  I  have  found  the  reason  why  he  left.  He  and  Liz 
had  a  quarrel,  and  now  he  don't  care  a  fig  about  her; 
and  I  heard  yesterday  that  her  master  says  he  '11  shoot 


114  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

him  if  he  dares  to  come  on  his  plantation.  But  he  needn't 
worry ;  for  you  could  n't  hire  Tom  to  go  near  Liz." 

Tom's  master  told  him  all  the  planters  were  afraid  of 
him,  and  said  he  would  play  a  trick  on  him  yet. 

"I'll  stay  at  home,  then,  and  won't  even  go  out  to 
meetiu's,  till  all  ov  'em  will  see  I  means  what  I  says." 

"That's  right,  Tom;  they  don't  know  you  like  I  do. 
But  I  told  them  't  would  do  all  the  niggers  good  just  to 
hear  your  story  about  the  meanness  of  abolitionists.  You 
know,  Tom,  that  was  just  what  I  told  you,  that  they  pre- 
tended lo  be  your  friends,  but  they  were  your  worst 
enemies." 

"Yes,  massa,  I  al'us  bleved  you;  and  if  Liz  hadn't 
cut  up  the  way  she  did  I  never 'd  tried  'em." 

All  things  went  on  smoothly  with  Tom.  He  was  never 
more  trusty,  diligent,  and  faithful  in  all  that  pertained  to 
his  master's  interest.  Three  mouths  still  found  him  con- 
tented and  happy,  and  the  constant  praise  he  received  from 
his  master  to  his  neighbors  began  to  inspire  them  with 
sufficient  confidence  to  permit  him  to  attend  their  meetings 
occasionally,  though  he  did  not  appear  anxious  to  enjoy 
that  privilege  until  his  master  proposed  his  going,  and  then 
he  was  careful  to  attend  only  day  meetings.  Neighboring 
white  people  often  talked  with  him  about  his  Northern 
trip,  and  all  got  the  story  he  had  told  his  master,  until 
Tom  became  quite  a  pet  missionary,  as  his  reports  went 
far  and  near,  among  both  whites  and  blacks.  After  Liz- 
zie's master  became  quite  satisfied  with  her  hatred  toward 
Tom,  he  allowed  the  hound,  which  he  'kept  over  two 
months  to  watch  for  Tom,  to  go  back  to  the  keeper. 
Though  Tom  aud  Lizzie  lived  eight  miles  apart,  they  had 
a  secret  dispatch-bearer,  by  whom  they  reported  to  each 
other;  but  visits  were  very  few  and  far  between. 

One  day,  in  her  "clariii-up  time,"  Lizzie  came  across  a 
bundle  containing  a  Sunday  suit,  placed  in  her  cabin  when 
Tom  left  for  the  North,  which  she  took  occasion  to  have  a 


GEORGE    AND    MARY    ESCAPE.  115 

good  quarrel  over.  Taking  them  into  her  mistress,  the  mas- 
ter being  present,  she  said,  "Missus,  what '11  I  do  wid  dese 
ole  close  Tom  let',  when  he  get  mad  an'  ruii'd  off  to  spite  me ; 
now  I  '11  burn  'era  up  or  giv'  'em  to  de  pigs  for  lies',  I  aiut 
gwiue  to  hav'  'em  in  my  way  any  longer." 

"Oh,  don't  burn  'em  up,  can't  you  send  'im  word  to 
come  and  get  'em?" 

"I  sends  'im  no  word,  if  he  never  gets  'em;  I'd  heap 
better  giv'  'em  to  de  hogs." 

Turning  to  another  house  servant,  her  mistress  said, 
"  Dil,  you  tell  Page's  Jim  when  he  goes  to  that  big  meet- 
ing your  people  are  going  to  have  next  week,  to  tell  Tom 
to  come  and  take  his  truck  away,  or  Liz  will  pitch  'em 
in  the  fire  for  'im." 

But  there  was  no  hurry  manifest,  after  he  got  the 
word.  Tom's  master  told  him  he  had  better  go  and  get 
his  clothes  or  Liz  might  destroy  them.  Said  our  George, 
"One  Saturday  evenin'  I  went  to  have  my  las'  quarrel 
with  Lizzie.  I  called  her  bad  names,  an?  she  flung  back  mean 
names,  an'  twitted  me  with  ruuuin'  away  to  make  her  feel 
bad,  when  she  didn't  care  a  picayune  for  me;  an'  I  tole 
her  I  never  wanted  to  see  her  face  agin,  an'  we  almos'  cum 
to  blows." 

A  few  months  after  this  there  was  a  holiday,  and  Tom 
was  so  faithful,  his  master  gave  him  permission  to  visit 
his  aunt,  six  miles  distant  in  an  opposite  direction  from 
Lizzie's  home,  and  she  too  got  permission  to  visit  her 
friends  five  miles  away,  but  not  toward's  Tom's  master. 
The  plan  laid  in  his  midnight  visit  was  to  start  after  sun- 
down, and  go  until  dark  in  the  direction  of  the  place  each 
had  their  permission  to  go,  and  then  go  for  Licking  River; 
and  she  was  to  go  up  the  river,  while  he  was  to  go  down, 
until  they  met.  He  was  to  secure  the  first  skiff  witli  oars 
he  could  find  to  aid  them  down  the  river  with  all  possible 
speed  to  the  Ohio.  They  succeeded  in  making  good  time 
after  they  met,  until  day  dawn  overtook  them,  when  they 


116  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-WORK. 

hid  the  skiff  under  a  clump  of  bushes,  and  the  oars  they 
took  the  precaution  to  hide  some  distance  away  in  case  the 
skift  was  discovered  and  taken  away.  They  secreted  them- 
selves still  further  in  the  woods,  but  not  so  far  but  they 
could  watch  their  tiny  craft  through  the  thicket.  Much 
to  their  discomfiture  a  number  of  boys  found  their  skiff, 
and  had  a  long  hunt  for  the  oars,  but  not  succeeding,  fur- 
nished themselves  with  poles  and  pushed  out  of  sight  to 
the  great  relief  of  the  temporary  owners,  so  near  being  dis- 
covered during  the  hunt  for  the  oars.  At  ten  o'clock, 
when  all  was  still,  they  crept  out  of  their  hiding-place,  took 
their  oars,  and  hunted  two  hours  before  they  found  another 
skiff.  Though  smaller  and  harder  to  manage  than  the  one 
they  lost,  yet  they  reached  the  Ohio  just  at  sunrise.  Two 
men  on  the  opposite  side  of  Licking  River  hallooed,  "  Where 
are  you  going?" 

"To  market,  sir." 

"What  have  you  got?" 

"Butter  au'  eggs,  sir." 

As  he  saw  them  in  the  skiff  and  pushing  toward  them, 
he  expected  every  moment  to  be  overhauled,  but  he  pulled 
with  all  his  might  for  the  opposite  shore,  and  did  not  dare 
look  back  until  they  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  river, 
when,  to  their  great  relief,  the  two  men  had  given  up  the 
chase  and  turned  back,  and  had  almost  reached  the  place 
of  their  starting.  He  said  Lizzie  trembled  so  hard  that 
the  coat  over  her  shook,  so  great  was  her  fear.  Said  Liz- 
zie, "I  reckon  the  owner  of  the  coat  shook  as  hard  as  I 
did  when  you  was  pulliu'  for  life.  I  specs  you  sent  fear 
clare  down  into  them  paddles  you's  sweattin'  over;"  and 
they  had  a  good  laugh  over  fright  and  success. 

With  George  there  was  no  fear  after  entering  the  base- 
ment of  Zion  Baptist  Church,  his  old  hiding-place.  As 
soon  as  the  report  came  to  us  that  a  man  and  his  wife  had 
just  arrived,  I  called  to  learn  their  condition  and  needs, 
and  asked  the  woman  who  had  charge  of  the  basement  to 


LEAVE    WITH    SEVEN    FUGITIVES.  117 

tell  them  a  friend  would  call  to  see  them,  as  new-comers 
were  always  so  timid.  A  voice  from  the  adjoining  room 
was  heard  to  say,  "Come  right  in,  Mrs.  Haviland,  we  are 
not  afraid  of  you ;"  and  as  the  fugitive  clasped  my  baud 
in  both  of  his,  I  exclaimed,  "Where  have  you  seen  me?" 

"Don't  you  mind  Jim  and  George  you  giv'  a  basket 
full  of  close  to  las'  Summer?  You  giv'  me  the  linen  pants 
an'  blue  checked  gingham  coat  and  straw  hat,  an'  you  giv 
Jim  thin  .pants  and  coat  and  palm-leaf  hat;  and  don't 
you  mind  we  went  out  in  a  market-wagon  to  a  Quaker 
settlement  ?" 

"Yes,  but  how  came  you  here  again?" 

"It  was  for  this  little  woman  T  went  back."  Then  he 
went  over  his  managing  process,  as  above  related. 

As  I  was  soon  to  go  to  my  homo  in  Michigan,  it 
was  proposed  by  our  vigilance  committee  that  this  couple, 
with  Sarah,  who  made  her  escape  over  a  year  previously, 
should  go  with  me.  Sarah  was  to  be  sold  away  from 
her  little  boy  of  three  years  for  a  fancy  girl,  as  she 
was  a  beautiful  octoroon  and  attractive  in  person.  She 
knew  full  well  the  fate  that  awaited  her,  and  succeeded 
in  escaping.  She  was  an  excellent  house  servant,  and 
highly  respected  by  all  who  made  her  acquaintance  for  her 
sterling  Christian  character  and  general  intelligence.  She 
had  lived  in  a  quiet  Christian  family,  who  gave  her  good 
wages,  but  she  did  not  dare  to  risk  her  liberty  within  one 
hundred  miles  of  her  former  home. 

A  few  days  after  the  arrival  of  George  and  wife  a 
mulatto  woman  and  her  daughter  of  sixteen,  bound  South 
from  Virginia,  left  a  steamer  and  joined  our  company. 
While  waiting  for  a  certain  canal-boat,  the  owner  and  cap- 
tain being  friendly  to  our  work,  another  young  man  joined 
us.  These  we  received  at  different  points  to  avoid  sus- 
picion. Before  we  reached  the  third  bridge  we  were  over- 
taken by  Levi  Coffin  .with  another  young  man,  whom  he 
had  instructed  implicitly  to  regard  all  the  lessons  I  might 


118  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

give  him.  I  gave  them  all  a  charge  to  say  nothing  of  go- 
ing farther  than  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  talk  of  no  farther 
back  than  Cincinnati. 

While  on  our  way  George  pointed  at  a  wire,  and  told 
his  wife  it  was  a  telegraph-wire,  at  which  she  dodged  back, 
and  for  a  moment  seemed  as  badly  frightened  as  though 
her  master  had  been  in  sight.  It  was  a  lucky  thing 
for  us  that  no  stranger  happened  to  be  in  sight,  as  her 
fright  would  have  betrayed  them.  Even  an .  assurance 
from  George  that  the  wires  could  do  no  harm,  could 
hardly  satify  her,  until  he  appealed  to  me  to  confirm  his 
statement,  that  it  was  the  operators  at  each  end  of  the 
wires  that  gave  information. 

The  day  before  we  reached  Toledo  one  of  the  drivers 
left,  and  the  steersman  employed  our  boy  William,  with 
the  consent  of  the  captain.  I  told  George  to  tell  William 
I  wanted  to  see  him  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  set  for 
him  to  drive.  He  came  into  the  cabin,  while  the  other 
passengers  were  on  deck,  and  told  me  all  the  hands  seemed 
very  clever,  and  the  steersman  told  him  he  would  find  a 
good  place  for  him  to  work  in  Toledo,  and  that  lie  would 
see  that  he  had  good  wages.  He  asked  him  various  ques- 
tions, that  led  him  to  disclose  his  starting  point,  Yicksburg, 
Mississippi.  As  he  was  so  very  friendly  he  answered  all 
his  queries,  even  to  his  master's  name.  This  I  had  charged 
him  not  to  give.  As  George  and  the  other  colored  man 
saw  the  steersman  and  another  man  employed  on  the  boat 
so  very  intimate,  and  careful  to  keep  William  with  them, 
they  began  to  fear  for  their  own  safety.  There  came  up 
a  sudden  shower  during  William's  time  to  drive,  and  he 
got  thorougly  drenched  ;  and  as  he  had  no  change  of  gar- 
ments, the  steersman  and  the  other  boys  of  the  boat  fur- 
nished him  out  of  their  own  wardrobe.  It  had  now  become 
difficult  for  me  to  secure  an  interview  with  William,  on  ac- 
count of  his  close  friends,  and  I  became  as  fearful  of  the  tel- 
egraph wires  as  was  Mary,  over  whom  we  had  a  little  sport. 


ARRIVAL    IN    TOLEDO.  119 

But  William  began  to  fear  all  was  not  right,  and  re- 
gretted having  told  this  man  of  his  condition,  and  made 
an  errand  on  deck,  as  he  saw  me  sitting  alone.  He  told 
me  all  he  had  said  to  the  steersman.  I  told  him  to  appear 
very  careless,  and  say  nothing,  but  to  appear  as  if  he  was 
going  with  the  steersman,  as  he  had  suggested.  As  we 
should  be  in  Toledo  in  three  hours,  I  would  go  into  the 
city,  and  the  women  and  George  would  follow  me  to  a 
place  of  safety  Then  I  would  return  for  my  shawl,  that 
I  should  leave  on  the  boat.  By  that  time,  the  passengers 
would  all  have  left,  and  he  and  the  other  young  man  must 
remain  about  the  boat.  Then  I  would  watch  the  oppor- 
tunity, and  when  I  went  out,  I  should  turn  short  corners, 
but  give  them  time  to  keep  me  in  sight.  Accordinly,  I 
returned  for  my  shawl,  but  made  no  haste  to  leave  until 
those  close  friends  entered  a  saloon ;  then  was  our  time ;  I 
gave  them  the  wink  and  left  for  a  place  of  safety. 

After  I  had  put  one  and  two  in  a  place,  my  next  work 
was  to  solicit  money  to  pay  our  fare  to  Canada,  on  a  boat 
that  was  to  leave  at  9  A.  M.  the  next  day.  Here  were 
six  fares  to  pay  to  Detroit,  as  Sarah  had  sufficient  to  pay 
her  own.  The  friends  in  Cincinnati  had  paid  their  fare  to 
Toledo.  It  was  now  nearly  night,  and  I  had  but  little 
time;  but  I  succeeded  by  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
leaving  a  colored  man  to  conduct  them  to  the  boat;  with 
hardly  five  minutes  to  spare  I  reached  the  boat,  with  my 
living  freight. 

Once  out  in  the  lake  we  felt  quite  secure.  Yet  there 
was  a  possibility  of  a  telegram  being  sent  to  William's 
master,  and  danger  of  being  overtaken  by  officers  in  De- 
troit. Knowing  of  their  anxiety  to  see  Canada,  I  waited 
until  we  were  near  enough  to  see  carriages  and  persons  on 
the  road  on  the  other  side.  When  I  said  to  George's  wife 
"There  is  Canada."  "It  ain't,  is  it?"  "It  is,  certainly. 
It  is  where  no  slave-owner  can  claim  his  slave."  She  ran 
to  her  husband  to  tell  the  good  news.  But  neither  he  nor 

9 


120  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

the  balance  of  them  believed  her,  and  all  came  running  to 
me:  "That  ain't  Canada,  is  it?"  Being  assured  that  the 
land  of  freedom  was  in  full  view,  with  tears  of  joy  they 
gazed  upon  their  "  House  of  Refuge,"  and  within  forty 
minutes  we  were  there.  And  to  see  them  leap  for  joy  was 
rich  pay  for  all  my  care  in  their  behalf.  George  and  Jake 
had  both  armed  themselves  with  deadly  weapons,  in  case 
of  an  attempt  to  capture  them,  resolving  on  liberty  or 
death.  I  left  each  with  fifty  cents  and  returned  to  my 
own  sweet  home. 

I  found  the  large  building  unfinished.  As  the  first 
buildings  were  temporary,  they  were  unsuitable  for  stu- 
dents to  occupy  another  Winter,  which  would  be  the  elev- 
enth Winter  our  school  had  been  in  successful  operation. 
Brother  Patchin,  our  principal,  was  called  to  another  field 
as  pastor  and  teacher,  and  would  go  if  the  new  building 
was  not  ready  for  use  by  the  following  academic  year. 
While  these  probabilities  were  under  consideration,  brother 
J.  F.  Do]beare  was  taken  from  us,  after  a  short  illness. 
As  he  was  an  important  trustee,  and  an  active  Christian 
worker,  his  loss  was  severely  felt.  We  had  a  few  mouths 
previously  met  with  a  similar  loss  in  the  death  of  another 
trustee,  our  valued  friend  and  brother,  Elijah  Brownell,  a 
minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Surely  dark  clouds 
again  overhung  our  favorite  institution,  in  which  many 
of  our  students  were  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ,  before 
they  came  to  us,  and  many  out  of  the  hundreds  who 
had  enjoyed  the  privileges  of  our  school,  we  had  good 
reasons  for  believing,  yielded  their  young  hearts  to  the 
loving  Savior's  invitation  while  with  us.  With  the  undy- 
ing interests  of  the  youth  so  near  my  heart,  it  was  a  trial 
to  have  our  school  suspended  a  year;  but  what  could  I 
do?  I  must  keep  up  the  ten  per  cent  interest  on  three 
hundred  dollars  of  my  indebtedness,  and  could  not  con- 
tract five  hundred  dollars  more  to  finish  the  institution 
building  erected  on  the  acre  of  ground  I  had  given  for 


RAISIN  INSTITUTE  SUSPENDED.  121 

that  object.  It  was  inclosed,  and  a  portion  of  the  floors 
laid,  and  doors  and  windows  cased.  This  had  cost  over 
one  thousand  dollars  for  a  building  thirty  by  fifty-six  feet. 

As  the  farm  was  still  carried  on  by  my  married  chil- 
dren, I  concluded  to  return  to  Cincinnati  and  engage  in 
nursing  the  sick  during  the  cold  season,  as  the  cough  to 
which  I  was  subject  was  returning.  All  things  considered, 
the  conclusion  was  reached  to  suspend  Raisin  Institute  one 
year  at  least.  An  Oberlin  scholarship  was  presented  me 
far  my  daughter  Laura  Jane,  who  decided  to  take  a  gen- 
tleman's collegiate  course.  Not  only  my  financial  pressure 
seemed  to  direct  toward  that  more  southern  field,  but  the 
cause  of  those  who  were  thirsting  for  liberty,  and  were  al- 
most daily  leaving  boats  or  crossing  the  river,  was  also  a 
strong  incentive  to  occupy  a  post  near  the  Southern  end 
of  the  road  whose  Northern  terminus  was  in  Queen  Vic- 
toria's dominions. 

Many  of  my  friends  thought  me  presuming  to  venture 
so  near  those  who  had  threatened  my  life  repeatedly,  and 
in  the  hand-bills  of  the  Tenuesseans  (report  said)  there 
was  offered  $3,000  reward  for  my  head.  Thomas  K. 
Chester  stated  in  a  letter  that  he  had  sent  them  to  a 
number  of  the  Southern  States,  to  let  them  know  what 
sort  of  sisters  they  had  in  the  North.  But  J.  F.  Dolbeare, 
on  the  night  before  his  death,  called  me  to  his  bedside, 
and,  taking  my  hand  in  his,  said,  "  Sister  Haviland,  you 
have  passed  through  close  and  trying  places  in  your  work, 
and  your  anti-slavery  mission  is  not  yet  finished.  Your 
trials  are  not  over.  Greater  dangers  are  for  you  to  pass 
through — I  see  it.  O,  may  the  Lord  prepare  you  for  the 
work  he  has  for  you  to  accomplish !  He  has  sustained  you 
thus  far.  He  will  grant  you  his  protecting  arm.  I  know 
it."  I  have  often  had  occasion  to  remember  the  words  I 
listened  to  in  that  solemn  hour,  during  thirty  years  that 
have  since  passed. 

A  slave-owner  from  New  Orleans,  with  his  wife,  three 


122  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

children,  and  their  nurse,  Maria,  were  bound  for  Cincin- 
nati.  When  at  Louisville,  he  was  told  if  he  was  going 
to  spend  the  Summer  in  Cincinnati  he'd  be  sure  to  lose 
his  servant-girl,  "as  that  city  is  cursed  with  free  negroes 
and  abolitionists."  At  this  unpleasant  information,  Cham- 
plin  and  his  wife  concluded  to  make  their  temporary  home 
in  Covingtou,  instead  of  Cincinnati,  to  the  great  disap- 
pointment of  Maria,  as  she  and  her  husband  had  been  over 
two  years  in  saving  all  their  little  silver  pieces,  until  the 
amount  was  one  hundred  dollars,  which  was  to  be  used  in 
taking  her  to  Canada. 

As  this  "Northern  trip"  had  been  calculated  two  or 
three  years  before,  and  as  they  went  to  no  place  without 
their  faithful  nurse,  the  slave  couple  also  made  their  plans. 
Her  husband  told  her,  as  she  would  have  a  good  opportu- 
nity to  secure  her  freedom,  he  would  manage  to  secrete 
himself  on  some  through  boat,  and  meet  her  in  Canada ; 
and  he  could  go  with  less  money  than  she  could,  and  in- 
sisted upon  her  taking  all  they  had  saved.  But  after 
Maria  found  they  were  going  to  hire  rooms  and  board  in 
a  hotel  in  Covington,  she  went  to  the  trunk  that  contained 
her  clothes  and  the  children's,  and  to  her  great  disap- 
pointment her  hundred  dollars,  that  she  had  so  securely 
tied  in  a  little  rag  and  rolled  in  her  garments,  was  taken 
out  by  her  mistress,  who  never  pretended  to  go  to  her 
trunk  for  any  thing,  having  no  care  whatever  of  her  chil- 
dren's wardrobe.  But  she  must  hide  her  feelings  by  putting 
on  a  cheerful  face,  though  she  felt  as  though  all  her  hopes 
of  freedom,  of  which  she  had  so  fondly  dreamed,  were 
blasted  forever. 

She  found  her  task,  as  usual,  was  to  keep  the  wardrobe 
of  her  mistress  and  the  children  in  order,  and  care  for  the 
children  day  and  night.  A  few  days  elapsed,  and  she 
asked  her  mistress  if  she  would  please  give  her  money  to 
purchase  herself  a  pair  of  shoes,  as  she  heard  they  were 
cheaper  here  than  at  home.  She  said  she  would  either  get 


AID   OFFERED    MARIA.  123 

her  shoes  or  give  her  the  money  in  a  few  days ;  but  neither 
shoes  nor  money  came.  Two  and  three  weeks  passed,  and 
Maria  ventured  to  repeat  her  request ;  but  the  reply  was, 
"  Your  shoes  are  good  enough  for  a  while  yet," 

While  her  master  and  mistress  were  over  the  river,  she 
frequently  took  the  children  to  the  river,  to  amuse  them  in 
looking  at  boats  and  in  picking  up  pebbles  on  the  bank, 
when  her  louging  look  was  noticed  by  a  white  man,  who 
ventured  to  ask  her  if  she  would  like  to  go  across  the 
river.  She  told  him,  if  she  did,  she  had  no  money  to  give 
to  any  one  who  would  take  her.  After  learning  that  her 
master's  residence  was  in  New  Orleans,  he  told  her,  if  she 
would  never  let  any  one  know  that  he  had  ever  said  or 
done  any  thing  about  helping  her,  let  what  would  happen, 
he  would  take  her  over  without  any  thing,  in  the  night, 
whenever  she  could  get  away;  but  if  it  was  ever  known 
there  it  would  ruin  him.  She  promised ;  and  as  no  one 
was  near,  and  the  three  children  playing  at  a  little  dis- 
tance, he  pointed  her  to  a  large  root  on  the  bank,  under 
which  she  could  hide,  and  there  wait  until  she  heard  a  low 
whistle  near  the  root,  when  she  could  come  out  and  step 
into  a  skiff  without  saying  a  word,  and  he  would  muffle 
the  oars  so  as  not  to  be  heard,  and  take  her  to  a  colored 
family  he  knew  over  the  river,  where  she  would  be  safe 
until  they  would  send  her  on  to  Canada. 

"  But  how  can  I  go  on,  when  I 's  got  no  money?" 

"  They  know  of  a  way  to  send  such  people  as  you 
without  money.  You  '11  get  with  those  over  there  who 
will  see  you  safe;  never  fear." 

"  I  never  can  tell  you,"  she  said,  in  relating  her  story, 
"  how  strange  I  felt  about  sich  good  news  as  this,  and 
wondered  if  it  could  be  true.  I  jus'  trimbled  like  a  popple 
leaf  all  the  evenin'.  Master  and  missus  was  over  in  the 
city  to  a  lecture  on  Fernology,  and  did  n't  get  back  till 
twelve  o'clock.  I  kep'  the  chillen  awake  later 'n  common, 
so  they  'd  sleep  sounder.  Then  I  tied  my  clothes  up  in  a 


124  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

tight  bundle,  an'  had  my  shoes  an'  hat  whar  I  'd  lay  han's 
on  'em,  an'  put  out  the  light.  I  was  suoriii',  when  missus 
looked  in  an'  said,  'All's  asleep — all  right;'  an'  I  waited 
till  the  clock  struck  one,  an'  all  still.  I  crep'  sof'ly  out  on 
the  street,  and  down  to  the  root,  an'  waited  for  a  whistle. 
The  clock  struck  two.  O,  how  long!  Will  that  man 
come?  Chillen  may  cry,  an'  missus  fin'  me  gone.  Had  I 
better  wait  till  it's  three  o'clock?  May  be  he  can't  come. 
He  said,  if  any  thing  happen  he  could  n't  come  to-night, 
I  mus'  go  back,  an'  try  another  night.  An'  'bout  as  I  be- 
gan to  think  I  better  go  back  come  the  whistle.  I  stepped 
in,  an'  we  went  over ;  but  the  clock  struck  three  before  we 
got  half  across,  an'  he  was  mighty  fear'd  he  could  n't  get 
back  afore  daybreak." 

News  reached  us  during  the  day  that  a  woman  crossed 
the  river  early,  and  was  so  near  it  as  to  be  dangerous  for 
a  hiding-place ;  and  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  see  her  in  a  safe 
place  as  soon  as  the  darkness  of  night  would  shield  us  from 
being  detected  by  Champlin  and  his  aids,  who  were  already 
seen  at  street  corners.  I  took  a  black  Quaker  bonnet  and 
a  drab  shawl  and  a  plain  dress-skirt  in  a  market-basket, 
with  which  to  disguise  our  fugitive. 

I  found  her  in  a  dark  room,  where  I  fixed  her  up  for 
a  walk ;  and  she  told  me  of  her  loss  of  the  hundred  dol- 
lars, but  I  told  her  all  would  be  well  without  it.  I  in- 
structed her  to  take  my  arm  as  we  went,  and  take  good 
care  to  limp  all  the  way,  for  we  should  pass  plenty  of 
Kentuckians.  Thickly  veiled,  we  walked  half  a  mile, 
turning  short  corners  to  elude  watchers,  if  any,  from  our 
starting-point.  As  we  went  up  Central  Avenue  to  Long- 
worth,  we  passed  through  a  crowd,  one  of  whom  said : 

"  I  'm  going  to  line  my  pockets  to-night.  Thar 's  five 
hundred  dollars  reward  out." 

Said  another,  in  a  low  tone,  "  When  did  she  cross?" 

"  Last  night  some  time,  they  say." 

My  Quaker  sister,  limping  at  my  side,  was  trembling,  I 


HID   IN   A   POOR    PLACE.  125 

sensibly  felt,  as  she  hung  upon  my  arm,  as  we  listened  to 
these  remarks  from  her  pursuers.  I  took  her  to  a  very 
intelligent  colored  family  on  Lougworth  Street,  who  were 
well  known  to  us  as  true  friends. 

Although  I  had  passed  her  pursuers  without  fear,  yet 
when  Levi  Coffin  informed  me  that  Kuffin,  the  greatest 
slave-hunter  in  the  city,  had  just  moved  next  door  to 
Burgess,  where  I  left  Maria,  my  fears  were  almost  equal 
to  Maria's.  "  Laura,  thou  hast  left  thy  fugitive  with  a 
good  family,  but  in  a  poor  place,"  said  our  venerable 
friend.  "But  wait  until  to-morrow  evening,  when  thou 
hadst  better  give  her  another  move,  as  I  know  they  will 
use  all  possible  care.  The  following  evening  Levi  and 
friend  Hughes  were  to  be  on  Central  Avenue  near  Long- 
worth  Street,  and  as  I  came  out  with  my  Quaker  woman, 
they  were  to  walk  half  a  block  ahead  and  turn  on  Ninth 
Street  to  his  house,  and  if  sister  Catherine's  sign  appeared 
on  the  balcony  of  the  second  story,  we  were  to  ascend  the 
outside  flight  of  steps,  and  take  her  up  to  the  attic  in  the 
fourth  story. 

Champlin  had  doubled  the  reward,  and  was  raving 
with  rage  over  the  loss  of  their  nurse.  He  said  he  would 
have  her  if  he  had  to  "  set  one  foot  in  hell  after  her," 
cursing  and  swearing  in  a  perfect  foam  ;  and  said  a  thou- 
sand dollars  should  be  doubled  but  what  he  would  have 
her.  As  the  streets  were  too  well  lighted,  to  give  her  the 
appearance  of  a  white  person  through  the  veil,  I  called 
for  a  saucer  of  flour,  with  which  I  thoroughly  powdered 
her  face.  Before  her  veil  was  adjusted  she  happened  to 
look  up  and  saw  herself  in  the  large  mirror  before  her, 
and  burst  into  a  laugh  over  her  white  face  and  Quaker 
bonnet.  I  gave  her  a  shake  as  I  placed  my  hands  over 
her  shoulders:  "Do  n't  laugh  loud,  for  your  liberty's  sake. 
Remember  the  next  door  neighbor  would  get  his  thousand 
dollars  reward  from  Champlin,  if  he  could  know  you  are 
here."  "  I  won't  look  at  that  glass  ag'in,  I  looks  so  quare." 


126  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  took  her  on  the  front  walk,  and  following  our  previous 
plans,  at  the  invitation  of  the  white  cloth  on  the  balus- 
trade, we  soon  found  ourselves  in  the  attic.  She  remained 
here  two  weeks,  not  daring  to  move  in  any  direction,  as 
the  wealthy  New  Orleans  planter's  biped  bloodhounds  were 
seen  and  heard  from  in  almost  every  direction  through 
the  city. 

As  there  was  in  this  case  an  unusual  excitement,  the 
editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  inserted  a  little  note 
in  his  paper,  of  the  escape  of  the  New  Orleans  nurse  from 
her  owners,  who  were  boarding  at  White  Hall  Hotel  in 
Covington ;  and  that  the  mistress  had  taken  one  hundred 
dollars  from  the  nurse  previous  to  their  arrival  at  their 
destination.  The  day  following  this  notice  Champlin  came 
to  the  Commercial  office  and  demanded  the  authority  the 
editor  had  for  charging  his  wife  with  stealing  from  their 
servant.  For  whether  it  was  he  or  any  one  else,  it  would 
prove  a  dear  job  to  vilify  his  wife  like  this,  for  he  'd  have 
their  life  or  $3,000 ;  and  swore  nothing  short  would  settle 
it.  He  told  the  editor  he  would  give  him  till  ten  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  when  he  should  come  prepared  for  the 
settlement  (referring  to  his  pistols,  which  he  knew  how  to 
use).  At  once  Levi  Coffin  received  a  call  from  the  editor 
for  advice,  as  he  was  his  informant.  During  this  inter- 
view, Catherine  came  into  our  room,  saying,  "  Laura,  they 
are  in  a  tangle  with  that  New  Orleans  slave-holder,  and 
they  want  thee  to  help  straighten  it."  Going  in,  I  was  in- 
troduced to  the  editor,  and  main  proprietor  of  the  Com- 
mercial, and  they  related  the  difficulty. 

"Now,"  said  Levi,  "this  young  man  has  invested  in 
this  firm  all  he  is  worth,  and  Champlin  will  probably  ruin 
his  business  if  he  fails  to  give  his  authority  for  stating 
Maria's  loss  of  her  hundred  dollars ;  and  as  I  gave  him 
these  facts,  in  case  he  gives  my  name  as  authority,  he  will 
then  come  upon  me,  and  make  trouble,  as  Champlin  seemed 
determined  upon  vengeance." 


FOLLOWED   BY   SLAVE-HUNTERS.  127 

After  a  little  reflection  over  these  statements  and  threats 
I  told  them  I  did  not  see  but  I  came  next,  as  I  told  Levi 
these  facts,  which  I  took  from  Maria  and  the  family  where 
she  was  first  secreted.  And  as  I  had  no  property  in  Ohio, 
and  the  little  I  owned  in  Michigan  I  had  arranged  to 
keep  from  slave-holders,  I  would  stand  in  the  gap  and 
our  young  friend  might  refer  to^me  as  authority,  if  com- 
pelled to  give  it,  rather  than  lose  his  life,  or  property  even. 

Said  Levi,  "This  is  liable  to  terminate  in  a  serious  affair. 
It  would  lay  thee  liable  to  imprisonment  if  he  is  so  dis- 
posed, and  thy  children  in  Michigan  would  feel  very  sad 
over  such  an  event." 

I  replied  that  I  did  not  fear  of  remaining  long  in 
prison,  neither  did  I  believe  he  was  going  to  be  permitted 
to  put  me  there,  but  at  all  events  I  was  fully  prepared  to 
allow  my  name  to  be  given.  With  this  conclusion  our 
young  friend  left  us,  saying  that  if  he  could  manage  that 
exasperated  man  without  naming  me,  he  would  do  so. 
We  were  all  anxiously  waiting  to  see  the  result  of  the 
fearful  meeting  at  the  hour  of  ten  the  following  day. 
Champliu  was  there  at  the  hour,  with  the  stern  query, 
"Are  you  ready,  sir,  to  give  me  your  authority,  or  abide 
the  consequences?" 

"I  am,  sir.  The  colored  family  where  she  first  stopped 
informed  us." 

"  Do  you  take  a  nigger's  testimony?" 

"Certainly  I  do.  They  are  respectable  and  honest, 
though  poor." 

After  pouring  forth  a  volley  of  oaths,  and  saying  he 
wouldn't  stoop  so  low  as  to  notice  what  a  nigger  would 
say,  for  they  were  all  a  pack  of  liars,  he  left  the  office,  to 
the  great  relief  both  of  the  editor  and  ourselves.  Very 
soon  he  came  to  us  with  the  pleasing  report,  how  those 
pistols,  so  full  of  powder,  flashed  in  the  pan. 

But  the  slave-hunters  were  still  so  numerous,  it  was 
thought  best  to  dress  her  up  for  another  walk,  and  I  took 


128  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

her  to  a  family  near  Fourteenth  Street,  and  wrote  a  letter 
in  Maria's  name  to  her  master,  dated  it  ahead,  and  from 
Windsor,  Canada  West,  and  sent  it  inclosed  in  a  letter  to 
a  friend  at  that  place,  with  directions  to  mail  it  to  the 
master  at  the  date  I  had  given.  Maria  informed  her  mas- 
ter Champliu  that  Canada  was  not  the  cold  barren  country 
he  had  always  told  her  it  was,  for  they  raised  great  fields 
of  corn,  and  potatoes,  peas  and  beans,  and  everything  she 
saw  in  Kentucky ;  and  that  she  had  found  the  best  of 
friends  ever  since  she  left  home,  and  signed  her  name. 

In  less  than  two  weeks  Kitty  Doruu's  niece  came  in 
great  haste  to  inform  us  that  "Champlin  had  got  poor 
Maria,  and  Aunt  Kitty  is  nearly  crying  her  eyes  out  over 
the  sad  news  that  a  colored  man  brought  over  last  night." 

"That  is  all  a  mistake/' 

"Oh,  no,  it's  no  mistake,  for  that  colored  man  worked 
near  White  Hall  yesterday,  and  he  said  the  report  was 
just  flying." 

I  hushed  her  loud  words,  and  whispered,  "I  can  take 
you  to  Maria  in  ten  minutes,  I  know  just  where  she  is." 

"Are  you  sure,  and  may  I  go  tell  Aunt  Kitty?" 

"Go  and  whisper  it,  for  there  are  but  few  friends  who 
know  she  is  still  in  the  city,  because  of  the  close  search 
made  for  her,  that  is  still  kept  up." 

The  next  day  she  came  to  us  with  another  story, 
"That  he  didn't  get  Maria,  but  got  a  letter  from  her  in 
Canada.  And  that  was  the  current  report." 

I  told  her,  "I  understood  that  too,  and  would  tell  her 
all  within  a  few  weeks." 

The  result  of  this  letter  was  a  withdrawal  of  all  the 
hired  hunters  within  twenty-four  hours,  and  during  three 
days'  quiet  two  young  men  came  from  a  few  miles  distant 
across  the  river,  who  got  the  privilege  of  a  holiday,  and 
of  spending  it  nearly  ten  miles  farther  from  the  river  than 
was  their  home.  As  they  left  the  night  before,  they 
would  have  until  the  next  morning  liefore  being  missed. 


BRUTISH    THREATS.  129 

As  Cazy  (one  of  our  vigilance  committee)  came  before  sun- 
rise to  inform  us  of  the  new  arrival,  Catharine  Coffin  came 
to  my  bed-room  and  gave  me  a  call:  "Come,  Laura,  here 
are  more  runaways;  Cazy  is  here  and  they  want  thee." 
In  less  than  five  minutes  there  were  four  of  us  to  decide 
on  the  plan  of  securing  the  newcomers  and  the  one  on  our 
hands.  "What  shall  we  do?  Our  funds  are  out,  we 
have  n't  a  dime  in  our  treasury,"  said  Cazy. 

"We  must  get  enough  to  take  these  two  young  men 
and  Maria  out  as  far  as  the  Stubbs  settlement  to-night," 
I  replied ;  "for  you  see  all  is  quiet  now  over  Maria,  and  by 
to-morrow  the  city  will  fill  up  again  with  slave-hunters." 

' '  That  is  what  I  told  Cazy  before  thou  came  in ;  but 
he  says  he  has  a  job  on  his  hands  he  can  not  leave," 
said  Levi. 

"Where  is  Hughes?" 

"I  don't  believe  I  could  get  him  to  leave  his  work  to 
see  to  it ;  but  may  be  he  '11  go  for  you,"  said  Cazy. 

"I'll  try."  And  throwing  on  my  shawl  and  bonnet, 
called  on  Hughes,  and  told  him  he  must  go  and  take  Maria 
and  two  young  men  who  had  just  arrived  this  morning. 

"But  what  can  we  do  without  money?" 

"I'll  get  it  to-day.     What  amount  is  wanting?" 

"It  will  take  eight  dollars  to  hire  a  close  carriage  and 
team  to  go  thirty  miles  to-night,  and  I  must  be  back  to 
my  work  by  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning." 

"I'll  have  that  ready  before  night." 

"Then  I'll  call  at  Uncle  Levis's  at  noon,  and  see 
whether  you  are  sure  of  success  in  getting  the  money ; 
then  I  will  call  at  the  livery  on  my  return  to  my  work 
and  engage  the  carriage  and  team,  to  be  ready  by  seven 
and  a  half  o'clock  this  evening." 

When  he  called  at  noon  I  had  four  dollars  in  money 
and  a  traveling  suit  for  Maria,  and  knew  just  where  I 
could  get  the  balance.  Now  for  the  plan  of  starting.  I 
told  him  he  must  manage  the  two  men  and  I  would  man- 


130  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

age  for  Maria.  "But  there  are  two  toll-gates  that  are 
closely  watched  for  colored  people,  and  I  want  you  to  go 
with  us  past  those  gates,  as  two  white  persons  in  front 
would  pass  the  load;  not  seeing  any  colored  people,  they 
would  make  no  inquiries.  As  Catherine's  health  was  poor, 
and  cholera  was  raging  in  the  city,  she  was  not  willing  I 
should  remain  away  over  night,  and  Levi  secured  William 
Beckley  to  follow  us  a  little  distance  behind  until  we  had 
passed  those  gates,  when  I  was  to  return  with  him.  The 
carriage,  with  our  company,  was  to  be  driven  up  Central 
Avenue  as  far  as  the  orphan  asylum,  and  halt  for  Maria 
and  myself;  and  as  he  passed  the  street  she  was  on, 
Hughes  was  to  take  out  his  white  pocket  handkerchief  and 
wipe  his  face,  while  William  Fuller,  at  whose  house  Maria 
was  secreted,  was  to  walk  on  the  street  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed to  watch  for  the  signal ;  when  discovered,  as  he 
turned  toward  the  house,  we  were  to  step  out  on  the 
street,  and  walk  the  half  block  where  our  carriage  was  in 
waiting." 

But  in  this  we  found  it  necessary  to  adopt  my  old  rule 
of  being  carelessly  careful,  as  there  were  Kentuckians  in 
their  rented  houses  each  side  of  William  Fuller's,  and  they 
were  overheard  to  say  three  days  before,  that  they  believed 
they  had  "  niggers  hid  at  Fuller's,  for  the  blinds  in  the  second 
story  had  n't  been  opened  in  two  weeks."  The  weather  being 
warm,  and  the  rising  of  the  full  moon,  and  their  next  door 
neighbors  sitting  on  their  front  porches,  all  combined  to 
bring  us  into  full  view.  As  we  were  watching  for  the  mo- 
ment to  start  Maria  took  up  her  bundle  of  clothes ;  but  I 
told  her  the  least  appearance,  aside  from  common  callers, 
would  create  suspicion,  and  we  must  send  them  after  her 
"  But  they 's  all  I  got,  an'  I  will  never  see  'em  ag'iu,"  said 
.Maria,  sorrowfully. 

"  But  your  liberty  is  of  more  value  than  a  cart  load 
of  clothes." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  knows  it ;  but  I  can't  even  change." 


MARIA'S  ESCAPE.  131 

"  Hand  them  to  me,"  and  they  were  opened  and  tightly 
rolled  into  the  shape  of  a  six  months'  baby  in  a  trice ;  and, 
as  I  rolled  it  in  a  shawl,  I  said,  "I'll  carry  the  baby  my- 
self." The  watchful  wife  says,  "William  is  turning  back, 
and  I  will  walk  to  the  corner  with  you."  As  we  reached  the 
gate,  the  neighbors  in  full  view,  sister  Fuller's  little  girl 
called,  "Mamma,  I  want  to  see  the  baby;  I  didn't  know 
that  woman  had  a  baby."  The  frightened  mother  tried  to 
hush  her  in  a  smothered  voice,  that  I  feared  would  betray 
her  excitement.  "Let  her  go  with  us,  mother,"  said  I. 
"But  auntie  hasn't  time  now  to  let  little  sis  see  the  baby; 
wait  till  next  time  we  call,  because  we  are  late,  and  our 
folks  will  be  waiting  for  us."  And  as  we  leisurely  walked 
along,  sister  Fuller  invited  us  to  come  another  time  to 
make  a  longer  call. 

After  turning  the  corner,  our  sister  and  little  girl  left 
us,  and  we  quickened  our  pace  to  the  carriage  we  saw  in 
waiting.  Friend  Hughes  stood  by  the  hitching-post,  but 
looked  wild  with  excitement  when  he  saw  me  turn  to  the 
carriage,  as  he  knew  there  was  no  baby  aboard ;  and  as  he 
had  hitched  in  a  darker  place  than  near  the  entrance,  he 
did  not  recognize  us.  But  as  I  gave  my  baby  a  toss  in 
the  carriage,  saying,  "This  is  part  of  our  company;  take 
care  of  my  baby,"  he  recognized  my  voice.  "  O,  yes; 
this  is  one  of  your  tricks."  Soon  we  were  seated,  and  on 
our  way.  We  passed  the  two  fearful  gates  with  a  sharp 
look  by  each  keeper,  and  half  a  mile  beyond  I  proposed  to 
return;  but  friend  Hughes  said  there  was  a  short  piece  of 
woods  ahead  to  pass  through,  then  the  coast  would  be  clear 
the  naiance  of  the  way,  and  he  would  rather  I  would  go 
through  the  woods  with  them.  Just  before  entering  the 
grove  we  heard  the  loud  talking,  singing,  and  laughing  of 
ten  or  a  dozen  men  we  were  going  to  meet. 

As  this  boisterous  company  appeared  before  us,  Hughes 
turned  to  the  two  men  behind  us,  and  said,  "Are  your 
pistols  ready?" 


132  A  WOMAN'S  J.IFE-WORK. 

"Yes,  sah;"  and  each  took  from  his  own  pocket  a 
six-shooter. 

"  Boys,  if  those  men  attempt  to  take  our  horses  by  the 
bits,  and  I  say,  Fire!  will  you  do  it?" 

"  Yes,  sah." 

Said  I,  "  Hughes,  be  careful,  be  careful.  Your  excite- 
ment will  betray  us  if  you  are  not  very  careful." 

"We  don't  know  what  rabble  we  are  going  to  meet, 
and  I  propose  to  be  ready  for  'em." 

"  There  is  nothing  known  of  this  company,  and  I  know 
we  are  safe." 

"  I  do  n't  know  it ;  and  if  they  make  the  first  move  to 
stop  us,  be  ready,  boys." 

"All  ready." 

There  were  two  six-shooters  behind  me,  and  one  in  the 
hand  of  Hughes,  that  I  feared  much  more  than  all  the 
slave-holders  in  Kentucky. 

But  we  were  soon  relieved  by  the  remark  of  one,  as  we 
'were  passing,  "It  was  well  we  stopped  that  bent  from 
falling,  or  't  would  have  killed  Smith  as  dead  as  a  ham- 
mer." We  found  by  this  that  they  had  been  to  the  raising 
of  a  building,  and  a  number  of  them  were  more  than 
half  drunk. 

After  going  a  mile  or  two  farther,  and  our  excitement 
was  over,  I  took  leave  of  our  company,  with  a  charge  to 
keep  quiet  and  all  would  be  well,  and  returned  to  Levi 
Coffin's  by  twelve  o'clock.  The  following  morning  we  re- 
ceived a  good  report  from  our  conductor,  Hughes,  of  the 
safe  delivery  of  this  valuable  freight  in  the  Quaker  set 
tlcmeut  depot,  where  they  were  forwarded  to  Canada. 


CLARA   IN   DANGER.  i33 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FUGITIVE  SLAVES  ASSISTED. 

THE  exciting  intelligence  reached  us  that  Clara  and  her 
three  little  ones  were  about  to  be  captured  by  slave-holders 
in  the  city,  on  Pearl  Street.  I  called  on  her  at  once,  and 
found  the  house  was  surrounded  the  night  before  by  stran- 
gers, who  were  followed  to  a  hotel,  and  on  the  record  the 
name  of  her  roaster's  son  was  found.  Poor  woman !  She 
had  passed  through  great  suffering  in  making  her  escape 
with  her  two  children  ;  a  third  was  bom  in  Cincinnati — 
yet  it  too  must  share  the  anticipated  fate  of  its  mother. 
She  had  always  been  a  house-servant,  but  found  the  death 
of  her  master  was  about  to  make  great  changes,  he  being 
deeply  in  debt.  By  the  aid  of  a  chambermaid  she  was 
secreted  on  a  boat,  and  kept  the  two  children  drugged  with 
opiates  until  she  feared  they  would  never  come  to  life. 
But  after  her  arrival,  under  the  care  of  a  skillful  physi- 
cian, they  survived.  She  had  found  good  friends  among 
her  own  people  and  Church  two  years.  I  found  her  weep- 
ing, with  the  two  youngest  in  her  arms,  the  oldest  sitting 
on  a  stool  at  her  feet.  With  fast -falling  tears  she  kissed 
her  babes.  "  O  ma's  precious  darlings,  how  can  I  spare 
you !"  I  told  her  if  her  master  did  not  come  for  hf  r  until 
it  was  dark  enough  to  conceal  her,  arrangements  were  made 
to  come  for  her  with  a  close  carriage,  to  take  them  out  of 
the  city  to  a  place  of  safety. 

"  I  reckon  you  can 't  save  us,"  she  sobbed. 

I  told  her  we  would  pray  the  Lord,  who  knew  all  her 
deep  sorrow,  to  open  the  way  for  us. 

"  Yes,  I  cried  mightily  to  him  to  help  me  out  o'  that 


134  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

dark  land  back  yonder,  and  it  'peared  like  he  did  bring 
me  out ;  but  if  I  had  stuck  closer  to  him  I  reckon  he  VI 
kep'  me  from  this  hard  trial;"  and  fresh  tears  freely  flowed. 

With  n?y  hands  on  her  shoulders,  my  tears  mingled  with 
hers.  In  broken  sentences,  she  referred  to  the  separation 
of  her  husband  when  he  was  sold  and  taken  down  the  river. 

I  left  her,  with  a  heavy  heart,  yet  strong  hope  that  her 
young  master  (as  she  called  him)  would  be  defeated. 

At  twilight,  I  called  to  assist  in  getting  them  ready  to 
jump  into  the  carriage  that  our  friend  William  Fuller 
would  drive  to  the  door  within  fifteen  minutes;  and  being 
ready,  we  were  in  the  carriage  turning  the  first  corner 
within  a  minute,  and  left  them  in  charge  of  an  under- 
ground railway  agent,  who  took  them  on  his  train  as  soon 
as  their  clothing  and  pocket-money  were  forwarded  to  them, 
to  the  great  relief  of  many  anxious  hearts. 

A  little  past  nine  o'clock,  her  master  and  his  posse 
surrounded  the  house,  and  lay  in  wait  until  the  stillness 
of  the  midnight  hour  was  thought  most  favorable  to 
pounce  upon  their  prey  and  hurry  them  to  the  river, 
where  they  had  a  boat  in  waiting  for  them.  Then  their 
force  was  increased,  and  an  entrance  demanded.  The 
owner  of  the  house  (a  colored  man)  refused  admittance 
without  legal  authority,  although  threats  of  breaking  down 
the  door  or  windows  were  made ;  but  they  were  resisted 
with  returning  threats  of  shooting  the  first  man  that  dared 
to  enter  without  proper  authority.  As  they  were  expecting 
an  attack,  the  women  had  left  their  home  for  the  night. 
The  watch  was  kept  around  the  house  until  morning  ap- 
proached, when  the  marshal,  with  his  official  papers,  was 
brought  to  claim  Clara  and  three  children.  But  to  their 
great  disappointment,  in  searching  the  house,  no  Clara  or 
children  were  there.  In  great  rage  her  master  left,  swear- 
ing vengeance  upon  him  who  had  kept  them  in  suspense 
all  night  when  he  had  spirited  them  away,  for  he  knew  he 
had  harbored  his  property  in  his  house;  but  all  the  reply 


JACK  RECAPTURED.  135 

he  received  was,  "Prove  it,  if  you  wish."  They  got  no 
track  of  them  until  they  heard  from  them  in  Canada. 

A  fugitive  by  the  name  of  Jack  secreted  himself  on  a 
large  steamer  from  the  lower  Mississippi,  and  left  it  on 
landing  in  Cincinnati.  Being  so  far  from  his  old  home, 
he  hired  himself  as  a  barber,  in  which  business  he  was 
very  successful  about  two  years,  when  his  master  learned 
of  his  whereabouts.  He  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  free 
colored  man  by  the  name  of  Robert  Russel,  who  was  an 
idle,  loafish  mulatto,  sometimes  Avorkiug  at  little  jobs  in 
Cincinnati,  and  also  in  Covington.  In  the  latter  place  he 
fell  in  with  the  slave-holder,  who  was  watching  for  an  op- 
portunity to  secure  the  aid  of  some  one  who  would  induce 
Jack  to  come  to  the  river,  where  he  would  hurry  him  onto 
the  ferry,  and  get  him  on  the  Kentucky  side,  when  he  could 
easily  return  him  to  the  far  South.  As  he  found  Robert 
Russel  a  man  of  no  principle,  he  gave  him  ten  dollars  if 
he  would  decoy  Jack  to  the  wharf  of  Walnut  Street  land- 
ing about  noon,  when  men  were  generally  at  dinner.  He 
succeeded,  when  the  master  with  his  Kentucky  friends 
slipped  hand-cuffs  on  poor  Jack,  and  took  him  on  the  ferry 
for  a  thief.  The  more  Jack  protested,  denying  the  charge, 
the  louder  they  cried  thief!  thief!  Some  of  his  colored 
friends  consulted  their  favorite  lawyer,  John  Jolliffe,  about 
arresting  Jack's  master  for  kidnapping,  as  he  had  taken 
him  illegally,  but  they  were  told  they  could  do  nothing 
with  him  in  Kentucky.  They  were  compelled  to  leave 
their  friend  to  his  fate. 

But  the  Judas  who  betrayed  Jack  ought  to  be  brought 
to  justice ;  but  how  could  they  do  it  ?  As  I  was  at  that 
time  teaching  a  school  of  colored  girls,  in  the  basement  of 
Zion  Baptist  Church,  a  number  of  colored  men  came  to 
consult  with  me.  I  told  them  as  Robert  Russel  was  a  ren- 
egade he  was  as  liable  to  serve  one  side  of  the  river  as  the 
other,  and  would  as  readily  bring  a  slave  to  the  Ohio  side 
for  ten  dollars,  as  to  decoy  him  back  into  the  hands  of  his 

10 


136  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

master  for  that  money.  They  said  Robert  did  not  dare 
come  into  Cincinnati,  fearing  that  justice  would  be  dealt 
out  in  tar  and  feathers  by  the  colored  people.  They 
learned  soon  after  he  came  to  the  city  that  he  ran  away 
from  Ripley  to  avoid  being  arrested  for  stealing.  I  advised 
them  not  to  take  the  law  of  tar  and  feathers,  as  they  had 
indicated,  in  their  own  hands;  but  to  spoil  the  petting  he 
was  getting  from  the  slave-holders  across  the  river,  by 
warning  them  against  Robert  Russel,  for  he  would  as  read- 
ily play  the  rogue  one  side  as  the  other ;  and  this  they 
could  do  in  a  little  printed  card  that  might  be  dropped  on 
the  sidewalk  through  a  few  streets  in  Coviugton,  and  they 
would  run  him  out  of  their  town  in  a  hurry.  This  idea 
pleased  them,  and  they  wished  me  to  draft  the  card,  and 
they  would  print  and  circulate  it.  I  told  them  I  would 
take  my  noon  recess  to  prepare  it,  and  at  4  o'clock  my 
school  would  be  out,  and  they  might  come  for  it.  I  gave 
it  as  follows: 

Slave- Holders  of  Kentucky! 

BEWARE  OF  THE  ROGUE,  ROBERT  RUSSEL! 

Who  absconded  from  Ripley,  Ohio,  to  evade  the  strong  arm  of 
the  law  he  richly  deserved  for  misdemeanors  in  that  town. 
This  man  is  a  light  mulatto,  and  betrayed  one  of  his  race  for 
ten  dollars,  in  Cincinnati,  bringing  him  into  life-long  trouble. 
He  will  as  readily  take  ten  dollars  from  any  of  your  slaves  to 
bring  them  to  Cincinnati,  and  again  take  ten  dollars  to  return 
them  to  you,  as  he  has  no  higher  purpose  to  serve  than 
paltry  self.  A  LOVER  OF  RIGHT. 

This  was  printed  on  a  placard  of  ten  by  twelve  inches. 
They  procured  two  hundred  for  distribution,  but  found  it 
more  difficult  to  get  a  distributer  than  they  anticipated. 
I  told  one  of  them  to  go  to  Levi  Coffin's  and  inform  him 
and  his  wife  where  I  was  going  after  my  school  was  dis- 
missed, and  that  I  would  distribute  them  through  Coving- 
ton,  but  to  let  no  one  else  know  of  it,  except  their  com- 
mittee who  secured  the  printing,  as  it  would  produce 
increased  excitement.  I  went  a  mile  from  the  river  before 


BOB  RUSSEL  RUN  OUT  OF  COVINGTON.     137 

commencing  my  work,  and  left  one  or  two  in  every  yard, 
when  no  eye  seemed  directed  toward  me.  I  dropped  them 
by  the  street  side  until  I  reached  the  ferry  that  returned 
me  to  my  anxious  friends  in  Cincinnati,  just  as  the  sun 
dropped  behind  the  Western  hills. 

The  following  day  report  gave  an  account  of  the  even- 
ing's excitement  in  Covington.  A  company  of  slave-hold- 
ers met  to  consult  over  this  placard,  and  the  conclusion 
was  reached  to  give  Bob  Russel  until  nine  o'clock  the  fol- 
lowing morning  to  leave  the  State  or  take  the  consequences. 
Two  slaves  had  left  them  within  a  couple  of  months,  and 
they  charged  him  with  taking  them  over  the  river.  Some 
of  the  more  excitable  were  for  hauling  him  out  of  bed  at 
the  close  of  their  meeting  (ten  o'clock),  and  dealing  sum- 
mary vengeance  for  their  recent  losses,  but  as  he  pledged 
himself  to  leave  their  State  the  next  morning  never  to 
return,  they  left  him  to  his  own  uncomfortable  reflections. 

A  party  consisting  of  four,  from  New  Orleans,  came 
to  Cincinnati  to  spend  the  Summer,  and  made  their  home 
at  a  hotel.  It  was  soon  ascertained  by  the  colored  people 
that  their  little  nurse  girl  of  about  nine  years  of  age,  was 
a  slave,  and  as  the  master  and  mistress  had  brought  her 
there,  she  was  by  the  laws  of  Ohio  free.  They  took  the 
opportunity  to  coax  her  away  and  place  her  among  their 
white  friends,  who  they  knew  would  take  good  care  of 
her.  Very  soon  there  was  great  inquiry  for  Lavina. 
They  said  she  was  just  a  little  pet  they  brought  with  them 
to  play  with  and  mind  the  baby,  and  they  knew  she  was 
stolen  from  them  against  her  will ;  but  that  if  they  could 
get  sight  at  her,  she  would  run  to  them,  unless  she 
was  forcibly  held  back  by  some  mean  person.  Diligent 
search  was  made  among  the  colored  people  whom  they 
suspected,  but  no  clew  could  be  found  of  her  whereabouts. 
They  were  then  advised  to  visit  some  prominent  abolition- 
ists, where  they  were  satisfied  she  had  been  taken.  So 
close  to  Elizabeth  Coleman's  were  they  watching,  that  she 


138  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

felt  unsafe,  fearing  they  might  come  in  and  find  her  alone 
with  her  little  pet  fugitive,  so  she  took  her  to  Samuel  Rey- 
nold's by  night. 

The  search  continued.  Samuel  met  the  master  on  the 
street  in  front  of  his  house,  but  had  left  orders  to  dress 
Lavina  in  his  little  boy's  suit;  and  holding  the  master  in 
conversation  awhile,  he  said  he  would  call  for  Jim,  to  bring 
them  a  glass  and  pitcher  of  water,  having  already  tcld  his 
wife  to  give  Jim  a  few  necessary  instructions  how  to  ap- 
pear very  smart  and  active.  As  she  came  out  to  give 
them  drink,  Samuel  gave  the  master  and  his  two  friends  a 
few  lessons  in  Ohio  law,  informing  him  that  all  slaves 
brought  into  the  State  by  their  owners  were  free.  The  mas- 
ter contended  that  it  would  be  very  cruel  to  keep  Laviua 
from  her  mother  (who  belonged  to  him),  and  he  knew  if 
he  could  be  allowed  to  see  her  it  would  be  sufficient  to 
convince  them  of  her  attachment  to  him,  and  promised  to 
leave  the  child  to  her  own  choice.  «  "  But,"  said  Samuel, 
"  Lavina  is  on  our  underground  railroad."  This  was  as  new 
to  the  New  Orleans  slave-holder  as  were  the  Ohio  laws  he 
had  been  explaining.  After  discussing  the  right  and 
wrong  of  his  claim,  Samuel  called  to  his  wife  to  send  Jim 
with  a  pitcher  of  water ;  and  out  came  the  little  fellow. 
"Pour  a  glass  of  water  for  this  gentleman,  Jim  ;"  and  their 
heated  discussion  continued.  The  master  took  the  glass 
from  Jim,  who  looked  him  full  in  the  face,  with  one  hand 
in  his  pocket,  while  Samuel  was  serving  the  other  two  gen- 
tlemen with  a  glass  of  water.  The  women  in  the  house 
were  filled  with  fear,  as  they  deemed  Samuel  rather  im- 
prudent. But  Jim  returned  with  pitcher  and  glass,  and 
the  master  and  his  friends  went  back  to  the  hotel  none  the 
wiser,  either  of  Lavina's  whereabouts  or  of  the  operation  of 
this  new  kind  of  railroad.  Lavina  was  well  cared  for,  and 
her  master  and  mistress  returned  to  New  Orleans  with 
a  new  experience,  minus  a  nurse  girl. 

Another  fugitive,  by  the  name  of  Zack,  came   across 


ZACK'S  HIDING-PLACE.  139 

the  river  from  Virginia  into  Ohio.  He  had  lain  in  the 
woods  by  day,  and  traveled  by  the  North  Star  at  night, 
when  it  was  clear,  but  in  rainy  or  cloudy  weather  he  found 
he  was  as  liable  to  go  South  as  North.  There  had  been 
much  rain  to  impede  his  progress,  and  he  suffered  much 
from  hunger.  He  had  advanced  only  a  few  miles  from  the 
river,  when  he  found  a  family  of  true  friends,  who  re- 
plenished his  clothing,  and  was  preparing  food  for  his  jour- 
ney, when  his  master,  with  eight  other  men,  found  out 
where  he  was,  and  came  with  officers  to  search  the  house 
and  take  their  prey.  They  came  in  the  night  and  de- 
manded entrance.  "Wife,  what  shall  we  do?  There  are 
men  under  every  window." 

"Let  them  search  the  two  lower  rooms  first,  and  while 
you  go  with  them  you  tell  Zack  to  slip  into  my  room  while 
you  are  with  them,  and  I'll  see  to  him." 

"But  I  tell  you  he  can't  be  got  out  of  this  house  with- 
out being  caught." 

"  Go  on  ;  I  know  that."  And  he  left  her  and  gave  the 
frightened  man  his  orders.  But  before  he  reached  her  room 
she  rolled  up  the  feather-bed  and  drew  the  straw  mattress  to 
the  front  side  of  the  bedstead,  and  told  Zack  to  jump  in. 
Her  order  obeyed,  she  threw  back  the  feather-bed,  and 
before  the  master  and  officer  entered  her  room  she  was 
occupying  the  front  side  of  the  bed.  The  clothes-press, 
wardrobe,  and  under  the  bed  were  all  closely  scrutinized. 
The  husband,  pale  with  excitement,  was  expecting,  in 
every  place  they  searched,  that  poor  Zack  would  be  found. 
But  they  all  left  satisfied  that  he  was  not  in  that  house, 
though  so  very  sure  they  had  found  the  right  place.  The 
noble  woman  said  he  shook  with  fear,  so  as  to  make  the 
bed  tremble  during  the  search,  knowing  but  too  well  his 
sad  fate  if  he  should  again  fall  into  the  hands  of  his  master. 
Every  necessary  measure  was  taken  to  hasten  his  progress 
to  Canada. 

In  December,  1852,  Calvin  Fairbanks,  who  had  served 


140  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

a  term  of  three  years  in  the  Kentucky  penitentiary  for  aid- 
ing slaves  to  escape,  called  at  Levi  Coffin's  and  informed 
me  of  a  letter  he  had  received,  giving  information  that  au 
interesting  slave  woman  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  could 
cross  the  river,  if  a  friend  would  meet  her  at  Jefferson- 
ville,  Indiana,  arid  take  her  to  a  place  of  safety ;  and  he 
proposed  to  be  the  conductor.  I  advised  him,  by  all  means, 
not  to  go  so  near  Kentucky,  as  he  was  so  well  known  through 
that  State.  He  said  he  expected  we  would  oppose  him.  1 
advised  him  to  consult  with  Dr.  Brisbane,  as  Levi  was 
absent.  But  he  chose  to  keep  the  matter  quiet,  and  went 
on  his  dangerous  expedition.  I  was  called  away  to  College 
Hill  as  nurse,  and  in  three  weeks,  when  I  returned  to 
Levi's,  he  called  me  into  the  store,  saying,  "We  have  a 
letter  for  thee  to  read ;  somebody  is  in  trouble,  and  Samuel 
Lewis,  Dr.  Brisbane  and  myself  have  been  trying  to  find 
out  who  it  is,  but  can  make  out  nothing  by  the  letter. 
The  signature  is  of  stars,  that  he  says  is  the  number  of 
letters  in  the  name,  but  we  can  make  nothing  of  it ;"  and 
he  handed  me  the  letter,  dated  from  Louisville  jail. 

As  soon  as  I  counted  the  six  stars  in  the  first  name,  I 
said,  "Levi,  it  is  Calvin  Fairbanks!  Head  out  the  last 
line  of  stars,  and  we'll  find  Fairbanks." 

At  this  point  Dr.  Brisbane  entered  the  store. 

"Doctor,"  said  Levi,  "Laura  has  found  our  riddle; 
she  says  it  is  Calvin  Fairbanks." 

Both  were  astonished,  not  knowing  he  was  down  the 
river.  I  told  them  of  his  call  in  Levi's  absence,  and  of 
his  errand. 

"Poor  man,  how  he  will  suffer,  for  they  will  soon  find 
him  out,  and  they  are  so  very  bitter  against  him,  I  fear  he 
will  die  in  their  penitentiary,  for  they  will  have  no  mercy 
on  him,"  said  the  doctor. 

"  He  sends  us  an  appeal  for  help,  but  I  see  no  way  we 
can  render  him  assistance,"  responded  Levi. 

A  few  weeks  later  a  colored  man,  who  had  been  mis- 


PRO-SLAVERY    MURDERS.  141 

taken  for  a  sla%re,  was  released  from  that  jail.  He  came 
to  us  telling  of  the  suffering  the  prisoners  endured,  having 
no  bed  but  a  pile  of  filthy  straw  in  their  cells ;  and  that 
Calvin  requested  him  to  see  his  friends,  and  tell  us  he 
must  perish  unless  a  quilt  and  flannel  underclothing  were 
furnished  him ;  and  he  also  needed  a  little  pocket  money. 
No  one  dared  to  take  these  articles  to  him,  for  only  two 
weeks  previously  a  man  by  the  name  of  Couklin  had 
brought  the  wife  and  four  children  of  an  escaped  slave 
into  Indiana,  and  was  captured  in  the  night.  All  were 
taken  to  the  river,  and  the  poor  woman  and  her  children 
returned  to  their  owner,  without  her  meeting  the  husband 
and  father,  who  had  sent  for  them.  Conklin  was  bound 
with  ropes  and  thrown  into  the  river,  where  he  was  found  a 
few  days  after.  Four  weeks  before  Williams,  from  Massa- 
chusetts, followed  two  little  mulatto  girls  who  were  stolen 
from  their  free-born  parents  by  a  peddler,  and  found  them 
near  Baltimore,  Maryland.  As  soon  as  his  errand  was 
made  known  a  baud  of  ruffians  lynched  him. 

These  two  cases  of  murder,  without  the  semblance  of 
law,  had  produced  much  excitement  in  the  North,  and 
now  the  Fairbanks  case  was  increasing  the  exasperation 
of  the  South.  But  here  was  a  suffering  brother  in  prison. 
A  few  days  of  earnest  prayer  determined  me  to  go  to 
Louisville  jail  with  a  trunk  of  bed  clothes  and  under  flan- 
nels. I  looked  for  strong  opposition  from  my  friends,  but 
to  my  surprise  when  I  proposed  the  plan  to  my  friends 
Levi  and  Catherine  Coffin,  they  favored  my  project.  Cath- 
erine did  her  full  share  in  furnishing  a  trunk,  a  thick 
comfortable  and  pillow  ;  others  soon  brought  a  change  of 
flannels ;  and  as  Levi  met  friends  and  made  known  my 
project  of  going  to  Louisville,  the  mites  were  brought  to 
the  amount  of  fourteen  dollars  for  Calvin,  and  enough  to 
bear  my  expenses.  Levi  saw  Captain  Barker,  who  pos- 
sessed an  interest  in  the  line  of  packets  running  to  Louis- 
ville, and  he  offered  half  fare,  and  promised  to  send  for 


142  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

me  in  time  for  the  Ben  Franklin,  No.  2,  to  lea^»  fin  Louis- 
ville the  next  day  at  2  P.  M. 

Dr.  Brisbane,  on  returning  from  an  absence  of  a  few 
days,  told  Levi  not  to  allow  so  rash  a  move,  and  said  that 
I  must  not  go  to  Louisville  in  this  excitement,  for  it  was 
dangerous  in  the  extreme;  and  he  referred  to  Coiiklin's 
fate,  that  was  just  as  likely  to  be  mine.  This  so  discour- 
aged Levi,  that  he  said,  "  It  may  be  we  have  been  too 
fast  in  giving  thee  words  of  encouragement."  My  reply 
was,  "  I  find  no  geographical  lines  drawn  by  our  Savior  in 
visiting  the  sick  and  in  prison." 

Here  was  a  suffering  brother,  who  had  fallen  among 
thieves,  and  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  go  to  his  relief.  There 
seemed  also  a  clear  answer  to  prayer  that  I  should  be  pro- 
tected ;  and  if  time  would  allow  me  to  call  on  Dr.  Brisbane 
before  I  left  for  the  boat,  I  would  do  so,  as  I  desired  to 
see  him. 

"  If  thou  art  going,  I  advise  thee  not  to  call  on  the 
doctor,  as  I  know  how  he  feels  about  thy  going,  and  all 
thy  reasons  will  not  satisfy  him  in  the  least." 

I  told  him  if  the  doctor  or  any  one  else  would  go,  I 
sho'uld  feel  easy  to  give  it  up,  but  otherwise  I  could  not. 

During  this  conversation  Melancthon  Henry  came  in, 
as  he  said,  "with  his  mite"  of  three  silver  dollars  for 
brother  Fairbanks.  He  said,  "  You  are  going  into  the 
lion's  den,  and  my  prayer  is  that  you  may  be  as  wise  as  a 
serpent  and  harmless  as  a  dove.  I  know  the  venom  of 
the  serpent  is  there  in  power,  but  God  will  give  his  chil- 
dren the  wisdom  without  the  poison."  Melancthon  was  a 
son  of  Patrick  Henry,  who  had  emancipated  him  with  his 
slave  mother.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odist Church,  to  which  I  was  at  that  time  attached. 

Soon  after  Captain  Barker  sent  for  me,  and  told  me  to 
refer  Colonel  Buckner  to  him  in  presenting  my  note  of 
introduction,  as  he  was  favorably  acquainted  with  the  col- 
onel, and  he  should  mention  me  as  one  of  his  friends. 


VISIT    TO    LOUISVILLE.  143 

Arrived  at  Louisville  about  day -dawn,  I  took  a  hack, 
and  ordered  the  hackman  to  place  the  trunk  on  the  porch 
of  the  front  entrance  of  the  jailor's  residence.  As  the  col- 
onel's wife  answered  the  door- bell,  I  inquired  for  Colonel 
Buckuer.  She  stepped  back  to  call  him,  when  in  an  un- 
dertone I  heard,  "Who  is  it?"  "I  don't  know;  she 
came  in  the  hack  and  is  genteelly  dressed,  and  I  think 
came  from  the  boat." 

He  "genteelly"  met  me,  took  Captain  Barker's  letter 
of  introduction,  and  then  introduced  me  to  his  wife  and 
daughter,  and  to  his  wife's  sister  from  Boston,  who  was 
there  on  a  visit  with  her  daughter,  making  quite  a  lively 
social  circle.  My  errand  was  immediately  made  known, 
and  the  colonel  excused  himself  for  overhauling  the  trunk 
to  take  its  contents  to  Calvin  at  once,  as  it  was  in  the  line 
of  his  duty  as  keeper  of  the  prison  to  examine  every  thing 
brought  in  for  prisoners ;  not  that  he  expected  to  find  any- 
thing improper  for  Fairbanks  to  receive.  I  told  him  I 
designed  returning  to  Cincinnati  on  the  same  boat  I  came 
on,  and  it  was  going  out  at  4  P.  M. 

"Why  go  so  soon?"  he  asked. 

I  replied,  "  My  errand  here  is  accomplished,  when  I 
see  that  these  things  are  delivered  to  Calvin  Fairbanks ; 
and  as  I  have  a  little  pocket  change,  sent  by  his  friends  in 
Cincinnati,  I  would  like  to  see  Calvin,  as  I  shall  write  his 
mother  after  my  return." 

"I  will  see  if  the  sheriff  thinks  it  best.  There  was 
a  great  excitement  in  the  city  when  Fairbanks  was  arrested 
and  brought  here,  and  Shotwell,  the  injured  man  who  lost 
his  servant  Tamor  and  her  child,  is  very  much  enraged, 
and  being  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence  here,  I  dare  not 
take  you  in  to  see  Fairbanks  on  my  own  responsibility ; 
but  I  '11  see  the  sheriff,  and  if  he  says  you  can  see  him  it 
is  all  right." 

With  a  little  note  from  me  he  took  the  trunk  of  things 
to  Calvin,  and  brought  back  a  receipt.  As  he  handed  it 


144  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

to  me   he  said,  "I  suppose  you  will    recognize  his  hand- 
writing, so  you'll  know  it's  from  him?" 

I  replied  that  I  had  seen  a  note  of  his  writing,  but 
was  not  familiarly  acquainted  with  it,  but  was  perfectly 
satisfied  with  the  receipt. 

He  said  he  had  been  to  see  the  sheriff,  but  he  was  ab- 
sent, and  would  not  return  for  two  or  three  days,  "  and  I 
think  you  had  better  wait,"  he  continued,  "and  see  him, 
as  you  can  remain  with  us;  it  shall  not  cost  you  a  cent." 

I  told  him  my  friends  in  Cincinnati  would  be  at  the 
wharf  to  meet  me  the  following  morning ;  and  as  I  had 
nothing  further  to  accomplish,  being  satisfied  that  the 
things  and  money  had  been  received  by  Calvin  Fairbanks, 
I  felt  free  to  return."  But  he  urged  still  harder. 

"  It  will  be  too  bad  for  you  to  return  without  seeing 
him,  as  you  are  the  only  friend  that  has  called  to  see  him 
since  he  has  been  here ;  and  I  know  he  wants  to  see  you, 
for  he  asked  if  you  were  not  coming  in  to  see  him,  and  I 
told  him  I  was  waiting  to  see  the  sheriff;  and  I  think  you 
had  better  wait  till  the  boat  makes  another  trip,  as  your 
stay  here  is  as  free  as  air,  and  we  would  like  you  to  stop 
over;  then  you  can  see  the  sheriff,  and  I  reckon  he  will 
not  object  to  your  going  in  to  see  Fairbanks,  and  yet  I 
dare  not  take  you  in  without  his  approval." 

I  at  length  consented.  They  were  all  very  polite,  and 
I  rested  as  sweetly  that  night  as  if  in  my  own  room  at 
Levi  Coffin's,  or  in  my  own  Michigan  home.  The  next 
day  the  colonel  was  very  free  to  talk  of  the  false  ideas  of 
Northern  people  about  slavery;  spoke  of  Elizabeth  Mar- 
garet Chandler's  work  on  slavery,  that  I  took  from  their 
center  table ;  said  his  wife's  Boston  friends  sent  it  her,  but 
"it  was  nothing  but  a  pack  of  lies." 

I  told  him  that  she  lived  and  died  neighbor  to  me, 
and  I  esteemed  her  as  a  noble  woman. 

"But  she  never  lived  in  the  South,  and  had  no  right 
to  judge  of  their  condition  without  the  knowledge  of  it," 


A  SECRET  AGENT.  145 

I  was  introduced  to  a  young  man  who  he  said  had  been 
suffering  a  few  days'  imprisonment  under  false  charges,  but 
on  the  examination,  had  that  day,  was  found  not  guilty. 
As  the  family  withdrew  from  the  parlor,  this  young  man 
seemed  very  anxious  to  deliver  a  secret  message  from  Fair- 
banks to  me ;  he  said  he  had  made  a  confidant  of  him,  and 
told  him  to  request  me  to  see  to  forwarding  Tamor's  trunk 
of  valuable  clothing  to  a  place  of  safety.  He  then  told  me 
the  mark  on  the  trunk,  and  the  place  in  Louisville  where 
it  was  waiting  to  be  forwarded.  I  said  that  I  had  told  the 
colonel  I  had  no  idea  of  Tamor's  whereabouts,  as  I  had 
supposed  she  was  taken  with  Fairbanks  until  informed  to 
the  contrary;  and  that  I  had  no  business  here  whatever, 
aside  from  bringing  a  few  articles  for  his  present  relief. 

After  being  absent  awhile,  he  returned  with  a  note  pur- 
porting to  be  from  Calvin,  inquiring  whether  I  had  made 
the  acquaintance  of  persons  therein  named.  I  told  the 
bearer  I  had  not,  and  if  he  saw  Calvin  he  could  tell  him 
so.  He  urged  me  to  send  Fairbanks  a  note,  as  the  colonel 
or  any  one  else  should  know  nothing  of  it ;  but  I  refused, 
becoming  satisfied  that  he  was  more  of  a  dispatch-bearer 
for  the  colonel  than  for  Calvin  Fairbanks.  I  learned  after- 
wards that  this  was  true,  and  that  he  was  released  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  hold  of  additional  evidence  with  which 
to  convict  him,  and  perhaps  convict  myself  also. 

In  the  evening  a  gentleman  of  their  city  made  a  call 
on  the  family,  and  to  him  I  was  introduced.  He  spent  an 
hour  or  two  in  conversation  with  myself  and  the  others. 
The  jailer,  Colonel  Buckner,  told  me  just  before  I  left  that 
their  city  papers — Louisville  Courier  and  Louisville  Com- 
mercial— inserted  a  notice  to  the  effect  that  "Delia  Web- 
ster, from  Cincinnati,  is  here,  and  is  quartered  for  a  few 
days  in  the  city."  This  little  notice  created  much  excite- 
ment ;  and  as  the  gentleman  alluded  to  knew  Delia  Web- 
ster personally,  the  colonel  brought  him  in  to  make  my 
acquaintance  and  report  accordingly.  As  he  passed  out 

13 


146  A  WOMAN'S  UFE-WORK. 

of  the  parlor,  he  told  the  colonel  he  might  rest  assured 
that  lady  was  not  Delia  Webster,  and  they  had  noth- 
ing to  fear  from  this  .Cincinnati  lady,  and  he  should 
set  the  editors  right.  All  this  excitement  was  carefully 
kept  from  me,  as  they  wished  to  keep  me  as  long  as  they 
possibly  could,  hoping  to  glean  some  additional  evidence 
against  Fairbanks,  although  the  jailer  told  me  they  had 
sufficient  evidence  to  convict  Fairbanks  for  a  term  of 
twenty-five  or  thirty  years  at  least,  as  this  was  the  second 
offense,  and  he  had  no  doubt  but  that  he  had  been  guilty 
of  many  others.  The  papers  next  day  came  out  with  a 
correction,  "  that  it  was  not  Delia  Webster,  but  Mrs. 
Haviland,  from  Cincinnati;  and,  as- abolitionists  generally 
went  in  pairs,  she  had  better  keep  a  lookout,  or  she,  too, 
would  find  an  apartment  in  Colonel  Buckner's  castle." 

Delia  Webster  was  arrested  near  the  time  of  Calvin 
Fairbanks's  first  arrest,  and  for  the  same  offense,  and  sen- 
tenced to  the  same  penitentiary,  but  in  six  weeks  was 
pardoned. 

The  colonel  was  disposed  to  spend  much  time  in  dis- 
cussing the  merits,  or  rather  demerits,  of  abolition  princi- 
ples, which  seemed  to  be  a  new  theme  for  this  Methodist 
class-leader  and  jailor.  He  said  : 

"  I  want  to  convince  you  that  you  abolitioners  are  all 
wrong,  for  you  go  against  colonization,  and  you  can  't 
deny  it ;  and  if  there  was  ever  a  heaven-born  institution 
it  is  colonization." 

"Do  you  claim  that  God  has  conferred  the  prerogative 
to  a  man  or  set  of  men  to  draw  a  line,  and  say  to  you  or 
me,  '  You  shall  go  the  other  side  of  that  line,  never  to 
return?'" 

"  O  no,  that  is  a  different  thing.  We  belong  to  a  dif- 
ferent race." 

"  Whatever  privilege  you  claim  for  yourself  or  I  claim 
for  myself,  I  claim  for  every  other  human  being  in  the 
universe,  of  whatever  nation  or  color.  If  the  colored 


SLAVERY    DISCUSSED.  147 

people  choose  to  go  to  Africa  I  have  no  word  to  say  against 
their  removal ;  it  is  their  right  and  their  privilege  to  go. 
And  if  they  wish  to  go  to  any  other  part  of  our  world 
they  have  the  same  right  with  me  to  go." 

"  O  no,  not  to  Canada ;  for  you  have  no  idea  of  the 
trouble  it  makes  us.  We  expend  thousands  of  dollars  in 
preventing  our  slaves  from  going  there." 

"  That  is  the  defect  in  your  policy.  It  is  the  existence 
of  your  system  of  slavery  that  makes  you  all  this  trouble." 

"As  I  told  you  of  Miss  Chandler,  so  it  is  with  you, 
because  you  never  lived  in  a  slave  State,  and  know  noth- 
ing of  their  contented  and  happy  condition.  They  ha.ve 
no  care ;  if  they  are  sick  the  doctor  is  sent  for,  and  they 
are  as  tenderly  cared  for  as  our  own  children,  and  their 
doctor's  bills  are  paid.  I  know  if  you  would  live  here  a 
few  months  you  'd  see  these  things  very  differently.  You 
would  see  our  slaves  marching  out  to  their  work,  singing 
their  songs  and  hymns  as  merrily  as  if  they  'd  never  had  a 
troubled  thought  in  their  heads.  Here 's  my  wife,  born 
and  raised  in  Massachusetts,  and  now  she  thinks  as  much  of 
our  institution  of  slavery  as  any  of  us  who  are  raised  here." 

"  If  your  slaves  are  so  happy  and  contented,  why  do 
they  make  you  so  much  trouble  in  their  efforts  to  reach 
Canada?" 

"  O,  there's  free  niggers  enough  to  be  stirring  up  the 
devil  in  their  heads ;  for  their  notions  are  not  fit  to  mingle 
with  our  servants.  And  there 's  the  good  the  colonization 
of  these  free  negroes  is  doing.  I  know  of  one  man  that 
manumitted  two  of  his  slaves  on  purpose  to  have  them  go 
to  Africa  as  missionaries ;  and  there  is  the  design  of  Prov- 
idence in  bringing  those  heathen  negroes  here  to  learn  the 
Gospel  plan  by  Christ,  to  save  the  dark  and  benighted 
heathen  of  their  own  country.  We  have  reports  from  the 
two  missionaries  that  I  told  you  were  set  free  for  that 
object,  and  their  master  sent  them  off  to  school  a  year  or 
more  to  fit  them  for  their  work." 


148  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  But  why  not  give  them  all  au  opportunity  of  educa- 
catiou,  to  enable  them  to  read  the  Bible  and  books  and 
papers.  That  would  improve  the  race  at  home;  and  in- 
stead of  sending  them  off,  as  you  say,  they  would  be 
preachers  here  among  their  people." 

"  I  tell  you  that  would  n't  amount  to  any  thing,  as 
there  are  but  few  that  can  learn  any  thing  but  work,  and 
that  they  are  made  for.  Their  thick  skulls  show  that  they 
can't  learn  books;  and  if  you  knew  as  much  about  them 
as  I  do  you  'd  see  it  too,  but  you  are  such  an  abolitiouer 
you  won't  see  it." 

I  told  him  I  had  seen  colored  people  in  the  North  who 
were  well  educated  and  intelligent. 

"  O  yes,  there  are  a  few  who  can  learn  ,  but  I  speak 
of  the  race.  They  are  different  from  us,  you  know.  Not 
only  their  skin  is  black  and  hair  curled  and  noses  flat,  but 
they  stink  so." 

"But  here  is  your  house-servant,  Mary,  preparing  your 
meals,  setting  in  order  your  parlor  and  private  rooms,  and 
waiting  on  the  persons  of  your  wife  and  daughter — and  her 
hair  is  as  short  and  skin  as  black  and  nose  as  flat  as  any 
you  '11  find ;  and  yet  this  disagreeable  smell  only  troubles  you 
in  connection  with  the  principle  of  freedom  and  liberty." 

"  You  are  such  an  abolitioner  there's  no  doing  any  thing 
with  you,"  he  rejoined,  and  left  the  room. 

He  soon  returned,  and  said : 

"  There 's  another  thing  I  want  to  talk  with  you  about, 
and  that  is  amalgamation.  If  you  carry  out  your  princi- 
ples, your  children  would  intermarry  with  negroes ;  and 
how  would  you  feel  to  see  your  daughter  marry  a  great 
black  buck  nigger?" 

"That  is  the  least  of  my  troubles  in  this  lower  world," 
said  I.  "But  as  far  as  amalgamation  is  concerned,  you 
have  twenty  cases  of  amalgamation  in  the  South  to  one 
in  the  North.  I  say  this  fearless  of  contradiction ;  it 
is  a  fruitful  product  of  slavery.  There  are  hundreds  of 


THE   BIBLE   AGAINST  SLAVERY.  149 

slaves  held  as  property  by  their  own  fathers.  You  '11  find 
it  wherever  slavery  exists.  You  find  it  here  in  your  own 
city,  Louisville." 

Giving  a  shrug  of  his  shoulders,  he  replied,  "I  will 
acknowledge  this  is  a  sorrowful  fact  that  can  not  be 
denied." 

This  ended  his  talk  on  that  subject. 

After  supper  we  were  all  enjoying  a  social  chat  before 
a  blazing  grate  in  the  dining-room,  and  I  was  sitting  near 
the  kitchen  door,  that  was  ajar,  where  were  their  slaves  in 
hearing.  In  their  presence  I  had  avoided  answering  some 
of  his  questions ,  but  now  a  question  was  put  within  their 
hearing,  which  seemed  to  demand  a  square  reply,  and 
I  gave  it. 

"I  would  like  to  know,  Mrs.  Haviland,  where  you  abo- 
litioners  get  your  principles  of  equal  rights.  I  'd  like  to 
know  where  you  find  them." 

"  We  find  them  between  the  lids  of  the  Bible.  God 
created  man  in  his  own  image — in  his  own  likeness.  From 
a  single  pair  sprang  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  whole  earth. 
God  created  of  one  blood  all  the  nations  that  dwell  upon  the 
whole  earth ;  and  when  the  Savior  left  his  abode  with  the 
Father,  to  dwell  a  season  upon  our  earthly  ball,  to  suffer 
and  die  the  ignominious  death  of  the  cross,  he  shed  his 
precious  blood  for  the  whole  human  family,  irrrespective  of 
nation  or  color.  We  believe  all  are  alike  objects  of  re- 
deeming love.  We  believe  our  Heavenly  Father  gave  the 
power  of  choice  to  beings  he  created  for  his  own  glory ; 
and  this  power  to  choose  or  refuse  good  or  evil  is  a  truth 
co-existent  with  man's  creation.  This,  at  least,  is  my  firm 
conviction." 

No  reply  was  made,  but,  at  his  suggestion,  we  repaired 
to  the  parlor,  where  other  conversation  was  introduced,  but 
no  reference  made  to  Bible  arguments. 

During  the  time  of  waiting  to  see  the  sheriff  the  jail- 
ers's  wife  frequently  spent  an  hour  or  two  in  social  con- 


150  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

versation.  She  said  they  never  bought  or  sold  a  slave  but 
at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  slave. 

"Our  black  Mary  was  one  of  the  most  pitiable  objects 
you  ever  saw.  She  was  treated  shamefully,  and  was  put 
here  in  jail,  where  she  lay  three  mouths,  and  was  so  sick 
and  thin  there  would  n't  any  body  buy  her.  I  felt  so  sorry 
for  her  I  used  to  take  her  something  she  could  eat,  and  I 
had  her  clothes  changed  and  washed,  or  I  reckon  she 
would  have  died.  She  begged  me  to  buy  her,  and  I  told 
Mr.  Buckner  that  if  she  was  treated  half  decent  I  be- 
lieved she  would  get  well.  So  I  bought  her  and  paid  only 
four  hundred  dollars ;  and  now  you  see  she  looks  hale  and 
hearty,  and  I  wouldn't  take  double  that  for  her.  But 
there  is  poor  black  Sally,  just  four  weeks  ago  to  day  she 
was  sold  to  go  down  the  river  in  a  gang ;  and  I  never  saw 
any  poor  thing  so  near  crazy  as  she  was.  She  was  sold 
away  from  her  seven  children.  As  I  heard  her  screams  I 
threw  my  bonnet  and  shawl  on  and  followed  her  to  the  river, 
and  she  threw  herself  down  on  her  face  and  poured  out  her 
whole  soul  to  God  to  relieve  her  great  distress,  and  save 
her  poor  children.  Oh  how  she  cried  and  prayed.  I  tell 
you  no  heart,  not  made  of  stone,  could  witness  that  scene 
and  not  melt.  Many  shed  tears  over  poor  Sally's  prayer. 
A  man  standing  by  went  to  the  trader  and  bought  her,  and 
went  and  told  her  that  he  lived  only  eight  miles  away,  and 
had  bought  her,  and  she  should  come  and  see  her  children 
occasionally.  She  thanked  him  as  he  helped  her  to  stand 
up,  for  she  seemed  weak.  But  in  just  two  weeks  from 
that  day  she  died,  and  the  doctors  examined  her,  and  said 
she  died  of  a  broken  heart.  They  said  there  was  no  dis- 
ease about  her,  but  that  she  seemed  to  sink  from  that  day> 
growing  weaker  and  weaker  until  she  died.  That  was  just 
two  weeks  ago  to-day." 

Her  eyes  frequently  filled  with  tears  as  she  related  this 
sad  incident,  and  yet  she  could  cheerfully  say,  "Oh,  Mrs. 
Havilaud,  go  with  me  into  the  kitchen  to  see  my  nigger 


ADAMS'S  JACK.  151 

baby."  As  we  entered  the  kitchen  there  stood  the  mother 
by  her  fat,  laughing  baby,  bolstered  up  in  his  rude  cradle 
of  rough  boards.  "There,  isn't  that  a  fine  boy?  he's 
worth  one  hundred  dollars.  I  could  get  that  to-day  for 
him,  and  he's  only  eight  months  old;  isn't  he  bright?'' 

"  He  is  certainly  a  bright  little  fellow." 

As  I  looked  at  the  mother  I  saw  the  downcast  look, 
and  noticed  the  sigh  that  escaped  a  heavy  heart,  as  she  lis- 
tened to  the  claim  and  price  set  upon  her  little  darling. 
It's  mother,  Mary,  was  ebony  black,  her  child  was  a  light 
mulatto,  which  was  in  keeping  with  the  story  of  abuse  to 
which  she  was  compelled  to  submit,  or  else  lay  in  jail. 

During  the  afternoon  of  Friday  a  Mr.  Adams,  from 
South  Carolina,  came  to  recognize  and  take  his  slave  Jack. 
Said  the  colonel:  "He  was  decoyed  by  an  abolitioner,  and 
now  you  can  see  what  your  principles  lead  to.  There's 
Jack  in  the  yard"  (pointing  toward  the  man).  "  His  master 
has  just  been  in  jail  with  me  and  talked  with  Jack,  and  I  let 
him  out,  and  he 's  going  around  town  with  him  to  see  if  he 
can  get  his  eye  on  the  rogue  that  enticed  him  away.  You 
see  he 's  a  great,  stout,  smart-looking  fellow,  and  the  rascal 
got  sight  at  him,  and  saw  him  alone,  and  asked  him  if  he 
would  n't  like  to  be  free,  and  be  his  own  master.  He  said  he 
would.  'Then  meet  me  at  eleven  o'clock  by  that  big 
tree  near  the  road  yonder,  and  I'll  take  you  with  me  to 
Canada,  where  you'll  be  a  free  man.'  Jack  met  him  at 
the  place  appointed,  and  they  went  on  till  daylight,  then 
hid  till  night,  and  traveled  on.  'Now,'  said  this  aboli- 
tioner, 'if  you  will  let  me  sell  you  in  this  little  town 
ahead,  I'll  be  around  here  till  near  night,  then  I'll  go  on 
to  the  next  tavern  (or  I'll  tell  them  so),  but  I'll  stop  in  a 
little  wood  this  side,  and  wait  for  you  till  eleven  or  twelve 
o'clock,  and  you  can  meet  me,  and  I  '11  give  you  half  I  get 
for  you,  then  we'll  travel  all  night  again,  when  we'll  be 
out  of  reach  of  their  hunting  for  you.  Then  we  can  travel  by 
day-time,  as  you  can  call  me  master,  and  I  '11  call  you  my 


152  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

body-servant.'  Jack  was  now  fairly  in  his  hands,  and  did 
as  he  directed.  As  he  had  divided  the  money  with  Jack 
he  had  confidence  in  this  mean  fellow,  and  thought  he 
would  take  him  on  to  Canada.  He  met  him  according  to 
the  plan,  and,  after  traveling  all  night  again,  another 
proposition  was  made  to  sell  him  again,  and  he  would  again 
divide  and  give  him  half,  which  now  amounted  to  a  large 
sum  for  Jack.  But  this  was  not  the  end  of  sales ;  for 
he  played  the  same  game  over  and  over,  until  they 
reached  this  city,  when  Jack  was  caught  and  put  in  jail. 
After  he  'd  been  here  three  days  he  told  me  all  about  it, 
and  I  took  the  money  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Adams  to  come 
and  get  him.  By  the  time  that  abolitioner  got  here  he  had 
sold  Jack  seven  times,  and  divided  with  him  every  time. 
So,  you  see,  that  is  just  the  fruit  of  your  principles." 

I  patiently  waited  until  he  finished  his  story,  with  its 
charges,  when  it  was  my  time. 

"  Colonel  Buckner,  I  do  not  acknowledge  this  to  be 
the  work  of  an  abolitionist.  This  was  a  selfish,  unprin- 
cipled man ;  he  was  making  himself  rich,  and  probably 
was  taking  Jack  down  the  river,  and  would  have  kept  on 
selling  him,  and  dividing,  until  he  would  have  sold  him 
for  the  last  time,  and  then  have  taken  from  Jack  all  the 
money  he  had  given  him  from  these  clandestine  sales.  I 
have  no  word  of  sanction  to  give  to  work  like  this ;  I 
should  say  his  place  was  here  in  jail  instead  of  Jack.  If 
Jack  had  come  to  us  hungry  and  naked,  we  should  have 
fed  and  clothed  him ;  and  if  sick  with  fatigue  and  foot- 
sore, we  should  have  given  him  a  ride  toward  Canada,  if 
he  wished  to  go  there;  but  as  for  this  man,  I  will  not  own 
him  as  an  abolitionist.  I  repudiate  his  work  altogether." 

"Oh,  yes,  he  told  Jack  he  was  an  abolitioner." 

"Then  he  was  a  hypocrite.  I  want  to  suppose  a  case 
for  you  to  consider.  Perhaps  a  fine  appearing  man  comes 
into  your  city,  attends  your  Methodist  meetings,  and  calls 
himself  a  Methodist.  He  speaks  well  in  your  class  meet- 


SUPPOSING    A    CASE.  153 

iugs,  speaks,  prays,  and  sings  in  your  prayer-meetings,  and 
you  become  very  favorably  impressed  with  him  as  a  Chris- 
tian. He  engages,  perhaps,  as  clerk  or  bookkeeper  in  one 
of  your  large  business  houses  across  the  street,  and  during 
three  or  six  mouths  appears  so  candid  and  punctual  in  all 
business  transactions,  that  they  confide  to  his  care  impor- 
tant business.  But  the  opportunity  arrives  when  he  takes 
advantage  of  this  confidence,  and  forges  a  draft  of  $3,000, 
and  it  is  cashed,  and  he  is  off,  never  to  be  heard  from  again. 
Now  as  you  learn  of  this  dark  deed,  you  have  no  idea  of 
acknowledging  that  man  as  a  Christian  brother,  have  you?" 

"Oh,  no,  certainly  not;  we  expect  and  know  there  are 
hypocrites." 

"So  do  we  expect  hypocrites  in  our  abolition  ranks  ; 
but  because  of  counterfeit  money  we  would  not  reject  the 
true  coin." 

In  the  evening  I  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Adams,  of  South 
Carolina,  with  whom  we  all  seemed  to  enjoy  free  and  easy 
conversation.  He  was  quite  pleased  to  find  his  servant 
Jack,  and  a  secret  thought  stole  over  me  that  he  was  also 
pleased  to  get  with  him  two  or  three  times  his  value  in  gold. 

Sabbath  morning  Ben  Franklin  No.  2  packet  came  in, 
and  I  prepared  to  go  to  the  boat,  as  the  jailor  said  the 
sheriff  had  not  yet  returned  from  the  country.  Said  the 
jailor : 

"I  don't  like  to  have  you  leave  without  seeing  Fair- 
banks, as  you  are  the  only  friend  who  has  called  on  him. 
I  have  a  great  mind  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  just  tak- 
ing you  into  the  jail  a  few  minutes  before  you  go." 

"  I  would  thank  you  very  kindly,"  I  said,  "  if  you  think 
it  prudent;  but  if  not,  I  shall  not  urge  you  in  the  least." 

"I  reckon  there  can  be  no  harm  done.  Come  on,  we'll 
go,"  and  I  followed  him  into  the  jail,  and  he  called  for 
Fairbanks. 

I  met  him  under  circumstances  that  had  caused  such 
bitter  prejudices  against  him  that  there  was  no  shadow  of 


154  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

probability  that  any  thing  like  justice  would  be  shown  him. 
Besides,  there  were  forty  sad  faces  before  me,  of  persons 
who,  the  jailer  told  me,  had  committed  no  crime,  but  were 
placed  there  for  safe  keeping,  as  they  had  been  purchased  in 
different  places  for  the  lower  market.  A  gang  was  being 
prepared  by  a  trader,  and  these  were  all  shades,  from  the 
ebony  black  to  those  with  fair  skin,  straight  hair,  and  blue 
eyes,  with  hardly  a  vestige  of  African  descent.  With  this 
scene  before  me,  I  could  not  restrain  tears,  neither  were 
Calvin's  eyes  dry.  As  he  held  my  hand  in  both  of  his,  he 

said : 

"  Let  us  keep  good  courage.  I  think  I  shall  be  released 
after  my  trial.  I  want  you  to  see  my  lawyer,  Mr.  Thrus- 
ton  ;  he  says  he  will  take  my  case  through  for  six  hundred 
dollars." 

I  told  him  I  had  no  power  to  indemnify  a  lawyer.  And 
after  I  received  his  note  urging  me  to  see  him,  I  sent  a  note 
back  by  the  keeper  to  that  effect. 

"  But  if  you  can  see  him,  he  may  fall  in  his  price  two 
hundred  or  three  hundred  dollars.  Do  n't  leave  without 
seeing  him." 

I  told  him  I  Avould  have  seen  him  if  he  had  been  in 
town  on  receiving  his  note,  and  yet  I  could  see  no  import- 
ant benefit  in  securing  an  interview  with  the  lawyer,  as 
his  figures,  unless  greatly  reduced,  were  beyond  our  reach 
in  Cincinnati. 

"  Perhaps  he  may  reduce  them  if  you  see  him." 

With  these  beseeching  words,  with  tearful  eyes  that 
brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  the  colonel  as  well,  the  colo- 
nel said  at  once : 

"  I  think  you  ought  to  comply  with  Fairbanks's  request, 
and  stay  over  one  more  trip.  You  can  stop  with  us  and 
be  welcome.  If  you  choose  to  call  on  Dr.  Field,  as  Fair- 
banks has  suggested,  you  can  do  so ;  but  I  reckon  it 's  your 
duty  to  see  his  lawyer." 

Dr.  Field  was  a  practical  abolitionist.     Like  Dr.  Bris- 


INTERVIEW  WITH    FAIRBANKS.  155 

bane  and  James  G.  Birney,  he  emancipated  his  own  slaves, 
and  left  Louisville  on  account  of  slavery,  and  made  a  home 
in  Jefferson ville,  on  the  Indiana  side  of  the  river. 

As  it  was  now  ten  minutes,  double  the  time  suggested 
by  the  jailer  while  we  were  on  our  way  to  the  jail,  I  turned 
to  the  keeper,  and  told  him  as  my  interview  was  prolonged 
beyond  its  limit,  I  would  go ;  and  on  taking  leave  of  Cal- 
vin he  pointed  to  four  men  standing  a  few  feet  from  him, 
and  said,  "  Do  you  know  those  men?" 

I  looked  up  and  nodded  to  them  a  recognition.  They 
were  fugitives  who  had  been  recaptured  by  virtue  of  the 
fugitive  slave  law  passed  in  1850,  some  of  whom  had  made 
their  escape  from  slavery  many  years  before.  One,  whose 
name  was  Baker,  with  whom  I  was  well  acquainted,  had 
hair  straighter  and  skin  fairer  than  very  many  of  our 
Anglo-Saxon  race.  These  four  answered  to  the  nod,  smil- 
ing through  their  tears.  They  had  enjoyed  a  taste  of  free- 
dom, and  now  were  to  be  hurled  back  to  a  dark  life  of 
bondage  more  bitter  to  them  than  ever  before.  But  not  a 
word  could  I  utter  to  them.  The  slight  bow,  as  I  was 
turning  away,  was  all ;  and  yet  that  was  sufficient  to  set 
on  fire  a  world"  of  iniquity  in  the  four  officers  in  front  of 
the  iron  grates  through  which  we  conversed  with  Calvin 
Fairbanks.  These  officers  beckoned  to  the  jailer  as  we 
were  passing  through  to  the  outer  gate,  and  upon  his  open- 
ing it,  he  said,  "Will  you  please  pass  through  the  yard 
into  our  apartments  alone?" 

"  Certainly,"  I  responded  ;  and  turning  to  me,  he  re- 
marked, "Those  officers  beckoned  to  see  me  a  moment." 

I  drew  my  arm  from  his,  that  he  had  so  politely  ten- 
dered in  going  to  and  from  Calvin.  In  passing  through 
the  yard  I  met  their  slave  man,  who  said,  in  a  low  tone, 
"Did  you  see  Fairbanks?" 

I  answered,  in  a  like  tone,  "  I  did." 

"Glory!"  he  cried,  just  loud  enough  for  me  to  hear. 

Near  the  door  I  was  met  by  Mary,  who  said   but  little 


156  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

above  a  whisper,  "Did  you  see  him?"  As  I  gave  a  nod, 
she  said,  "Good,  good!"  clapping  her  hands  for  joy. 

I  waited  in  the  parlor  for  the  return  of  the  jailer,  as 
he  had  said  he  would  go  to  the  river  with  me.  He  soon 
came  in,  pale  and  trembling  with  excitement. 

"  Mrs.  Haviland,  those  officers  are  all  boiling  over  with 
excitement.  They  wanted  to  know  if  I  did  n't  see  how 
just  the  sight  of  you  was  like  an  electric  shock  all  over 
that  crowd  of  slaves.  '  Did  n't  you  see  those  four  runa- 
ways cry  at  the  sight  of  her?'  said  one  of  the  officers.  I 
told  them  my  attention  was  all  taken  up  with  your  con- 
versation with  Fairbanks,  and  noticed  nothing  of  others. 
They  say  it  is  very  evident  that  you  are  a  dangerous  per- 
son, and  deserve  to  be  here  in  this  jail  just  as  much  as 
Fairbanks,  and  they  are  for  arresting  you  at  once ;  and  I 
do  n't  know,  Mrs.  Haviland,  that  it  will  be  in  my  power 
to  protect  you.  There  have  been  threats  in  the  papers 
every  day  since  you  've  been  here ;  and  Shot  well  has  had 
his  officers  out  hunting  in  every  hotel  for  you ;  but  we 
have  kept  it  carefully  from  the  public  that  you  were  with 
me,  until  now  these  officers  are  determined  to  arrest  you." 

Said  I:  "Colonel  Buckner,  should  your  officers  come 
in  this  moment  I  have  nothing  to  fear.  The  God  of 
Daniel  is  here  at  this  hour.  Should  I  be  arrested,  you 
would  n't  keep  me  in  your  jail  three  days.  I  have  no  more 
fear  than  if  I  were  in  my  own  room  in  Cincinnati." 

His  trembling  voice  became  quiet;  and  more  calmly 
he  said : 

"Well,  it  is  a  glorious  thing  to  feel  like  you  do;  but 
I  reckon  you  'd  better  go  over  the  river  to  Dr.  Field's, 
and  when  Mr.  Thruston  comes  into  the  city  I  '11  send  him 
over  to  see  you.  I  advise  you  not  to  set  foot  on  the  Ken- 
tucky shore  again,  as  I  know  it  will  not  be  safe.  There  is 
this  morning  a  great  excitement  all  over  town  about  you. 
So  one  of  the  officers  told  me.  But  I'll  go  to  the  river 
with  you  right  soon." 


VISIT   TO    DR.    FIET/D.  157 

We  started  for  the  door,  when  he  halted:  "I  don't 
think  I  had  better  go  with  you  now,  as  these  officers  may 
come  out  and  make  trouble,  and  I  reckon  you  'd  be  safer 
alone." 

"  Very  well,  I  have  no  hesitancy  whatever  in  going 
alone;"  and  I  bade  him  "good-bye." 

As  I  was  opening  the  door  he  reached  his  hand  to  re- 
turn the  "Good-bye — God  bless  you!"  and  I  left  the  jail 
and  jailer. 

I  passed  a  large  hotel,  with  perhaps  fifteen  or  twenty 
men  standing  on  the  sidewalk  in  front.  All  seemed  in  a 
perfect  buzz  of  excitement.  When  I  saw  this  company 
of  men,  the  first  thought  was  to  pass  over  on  the  other  side. 
"  But  I  will  neither  turn  to  the  right  nor  the  left,  but  pass 
through  their  midst,"  was  an  impression  that  I  followed ; 
and  so  busily  engaged  were  they  in  their  excited  conver- 
sation that  they  hardly  looked  to  see  the  little  passer-by, 
the  subject  of  their  thoughts  and  words.  Said  one : 

"  Great  excitement  in  town  to-day." 

"Yes,  sir;  you  can  see  a  group  of  men  at  every  street 
corner." 

I  smiled  to  myself,  as  I  thought, "  Little  do  you  think  this 
is  the  little  old  woman  you  are  troubling  yourselves  over." 

I  soon  was  in  Jeffersouville  inquiring  for  Dr.  Field's 
residence,  and  was  shown  the  house  across  the  street,  and 
upon  its  front  porch  stood  a  little  group — the  doctor  and 
family,  with  two  ministers — watching  me  ;  and  as  I  opened 
the  gate  and  inquired  if  this  was  Dr.  Field's  residence: 

"  Yes,  I  am  the  Jason,"  said  the  doctor.  "  We  Ve  been 
looking  for  you,  Mrs.  Haviland,  every  day  since  you  've 
been  in  Louisville." 

This  was  an  unexpected  salutation,  and  I  felt  at  home 
again  as  T  clasped  their  warm  hands  of  friendship. 

"  How  is  it  that  you  have  knowledge  of  me?" 

"Just  walk  in,  and  I'll  show  you  the  papers;  haven't 
you  seen  them?" 


158  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

I  told  him  I  had  not,  and  knew  nothing  of  it  until 
just  as  I  was  leaving ;  the  jailer  told  me  there  had  been 
threats  in  the  daily  papers  to  arrest  me.  When  I  read 
these  little  scurrilous  articles,  calculated  to  inflame  an  al- 
ready inflamed  public,  I  wondered,  as  well  as  the  doctor, 
that  they  had  not  found  my  whereabouts  and  made  trouble. 
I  hoped  my  Cincinnati  friends  had  not  seen  this,  as  I  had 
written  them  the  reason  of  my  delay,  and  sent  the  letter 
by  the  same  boat  that  brought  me  to  Louisville.  I  enjoyed 
sweet  rest  with  these  Christian  friends,  and  attended  with 
them  their  afternoon  meeting.  The  minister  who  preached 
was  as  earnest  an  abolitionist  as  the  doctor,  and  brother 
Proctor  preached  as  radical  an  abolition  sermon  as  I  ever 
listened  to ;  it  seemed  like  an  oasis  in  a  desert. 

The  day  following  I  sent  a  note  to  Lawyer  Thrustou's 
office,  and  received  in  reply  the  statement  that  his  illness 
had  prevented  his  leaving  his  room  during  two  weeks  past, 
and  urged  me  to  come  and  see  him  without  delay,  and  he 
would  stand  between  me  and  all  harm.  The  doctor  said, 
as  he  was  a  lawyer  of  influence  in  their  city,  he  advised 
me  to  go;  and  as  it  was  snowing  a  little,  he  gave  me  an 
umbrella,  with  which  I  might  screen  myself  while  passing 
the  jail,  as  well  as  be  sheltered  from  the  snow.  I  found 
the  lawyer  very  affable  in  his  manners,  and  he  said  they 
would  do  the  best  they  could  for  Fairbanks,  and  we  might 
pay  what  we  could.  I  returned  without  difficulty  to  our 
"  Jason." 

I  wrote  a  little  article  under  the  caption  of  "Correc- 
tion," and  sent  it  to  both  the  Commercial  and  Louisville 
Courier.  It  was  inserted,  with  the  following  editorial  note: 

"  Notwithstanding  the  pretended  laudability  of  her  er- 
rand to  our  city,  we  are  still  satisfied  it  was  out  of  no  good 
motive,  as  birds  of  a  feather  will  flock  together." 

Most  assuredly  I  was  thankful  to  see  the  return  of 
"  Ben  Franklin,  No.  2,"  which  took  me  from  that  nest  of 
unclean  birds  to  those  of  more  congenial  and  harmless 


ON   THE   STEAMBOAT.  159 

habits.  My  anxious  friends  in  Cincinnati  bad  not  received 
either  of  my  letters,  and  had  read  only  these  threatening 
cards  in  the  Cincinnati  Commercial,  copied  from  Louisville 
dailies,  that  caused  great  anxiety.  I  sent  a  letter  by  both 
trips  that  this  boat  made  during  the  week  I  was  in  Louis- 
ville, and  Colonel  Buckner  took  both  and  said  he  would 
see  them  delivered  at  the  boat. 

While  on  the  boat  a  gentleman  and  his  wife  among 
the  passengers  were  returning  to  their  Eastern  home,  with 
whom  I  formed  a  pleasant  acquaintance.  Among  other 
topics  of  discussion  was  the  value  of  hygiene  and  hydro- 
pathy, in  which  a  Louisville  physician  joined,  narrating 
his  observations  of  the  system  during  a  practice  of  fifteen 
years  in  Louisville.  As  he  seemed  to  be  an  intelligent 
and  social  gentleman,  we  all  seemed  to  enjoy  our  new 
acquaintances.  I  remarked  to  him  that  there  seemed  to 
exist  quite  an  excitement  in  his  city  during  the  week  past, 
over  an  old  lady  who  took  a  few  articles  of  uuder-clothes 
and  a  quilt  or  two  to  Fairbanks. 

"O,  yes;  were  you  in  the  city?" 

"I  was,  and  was  surprised  at  the  excitement  produced 
by  her  presence." 

"Well,  I  suppose  Shotwell  did  make  a  great  stir  over 
his  loss  of  a  house-servant.  I  understand  he  spent  three 
hundred  dollars  in  his  effort  to  find  that  woman,  as  he 
thought  she  knew  where  his  slave  was.  I  have  forgotten 
her  name." 

"Mrs.  Haviland,  from  Cincinnati,  was  the  one  threat- 
ened in  your  dailies,"  I  replied. 

"Oh,  yes,  that  was  the  name.  I  heard  you  say  you  are 
going  to  Cincinnati ;  do  you  know  any  thing  of  that  lady?" 

"I  do;  I  have  been  acquainted  with  her  from  child- 
hood." 

"  You  have!     What  sort  of  a  lady  is  she?" 

"Well,  if  you  should  see  her,  you  wouldn't  think  it 
worth  while  to  raise  all  this  breeze  over  her,  or  any  thing 


160  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

she  could  do.  She  is  a  little,  insignificant  looking  woman, 
anyhow ;  and  yet  I  think  she  is  conscientious  in  what 
she  does." 

"There  wouldn't  have  been  such  a  stir  but  for  Mr. 
Shotwell,  who  felt  himself  wronged  in  the  loss  of  his  house 
servant." 

"But  he  is  considered  one  of  your  most  influential  citi- 
zens, I  am  told." 

"Yes,  madam;  I  reckon  we'll  have  to  excuse  him,  for 
he  is  quite  nervous  and  angry  over  Fairbanks." 

After  quite  a  lengthy  conversation  on  this  subject,  my 
new  lady  friend,  to  whom  I  had  related  a  portion  of  my 
Louisville  experience,  was  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to 
put  a  joke  on  the  Louisville  doctor,  and  called  me  by 
name.  At  this  the  astonished  doctor  said : 

"I  reckon  this  is  not  Mrs.  Havilaud,  is  it?" 

"That  is  the  name  by  which  I  am  called." 

"Is  this  indeed  the  lady  we've  been  talking  about, 
and  of  whose  appearance  you  gave  such  a  brilliant 
description?"  And  he  laughed  heartily.  "Well,  well, 
Mrs.  Haviland,  don't  judge  our  city  by  this  little  flurry  of 
excitement ;  for  we  have  good,  substantial  people  in  our 
town,  and  I  hope  you'll  visit  our  city  again  sometime,  and 
you'll  find  it's  true.  I  reckon  if  those  excited  men  had 
arrested  you,  there  would  have  rallied  to  your  aid  a  differ- 
ent class  of  men ;  for  your  errand  was  perfectly  proper, 
and  you  would  have  been  borne  out  in  it,  too,  by  the  more 
sensible  people  of  our  city." 

But  my  Cincinnati  friends  were  not  so  confident  of  my 
safety.  Said  Levi  Coffin,  as  I  met  him,  "Dr.  Brisbane 
has  said  it  was  most  likely  that  we  should  find  thee  in 
prison ;  and  our  friend,  James  G.  Birney,  is  also  very 
much  discouraged,  and  said  he  was  sorry  thou  went  at  this 
time  of  excitement,  of  both  North  and  South,  over  the 
lynching  of  Williams  near  Baltimore,  the  binding  of  Couklin 
and  throwing  him  into  the  river,  and  now  the  illegal  capture 


FOURTEEN"    SLAVES    ESCAPE.  161 

of  Calvin  Fairbanks  iu  Indiana,  and  taking  him  over  into 
Kentucky  and  lodging  him  in  jail  there.  But  they  have 
no  regard  or  respect  for  law.  As  we  knew  all  this,  we 
have  all  been  exceedingly  anxious  for  thy  safety." 

It  was  a  season  of  rejoicing  with  4its  all  that  our  suf- 
fering brother  in  prison  had  received  present  relief;  and 
no  threats  were  put  in  execution  in  regard  to  myself.  I 
realized  an  answer  to  prayer  before  I  left  for  that  prison, 
and  not  a  moment  while  in  Louisville  did  I  in  the  least 
doubt  the  keeping  power  to  be  stronger  than  the  power  of 
darkness.  Our  friend,  James  G.  Birney,  being  feeble  in 
health,  sent  for  me  to  spend  a  day  in  his  family;  and  a 
rich  feast  I  enjoyed  in  listening  to  the  experience  of  that 
noble  Christian  man.  Worthy  was  he  to  have  presided 
over  our  nation. 

Excitement  does  not  cease,  though  the  base  is  changed. 
Tidings  came  to  us  that  fourteen  newly-arrived  fugitives 
were  housed  in  the  basement  of  Zion  Baptist  Church.  I 
repaired  at  once  to  sec  what  was  needed  for  their  journey, 
and  found  a  very  sick  babe,  two  mouths  old.  The  mother 
said  it  was  very  sick  before  they  left,  and  she  did  not 
expect  it  to  live,  but  their  arrangements  were  made  to  go 
for  freedom,  and  she  would  rather  bury  her  child  on  the 
way  than  to  stay  behind  till  it  left  her.  It  died  that 
night,  and  they  were  provided  with  a  respectable  coffin,  and 
the  company,  with  others,  formed  a  funeral  procession  to 
the  buryiug-ground.  After  the  burial  the  thirteen  fugi- 
tives were  taken  to  the  Quaker  settlement,  twenty-five 
miles  distant,  and  from  thence  were  forwarded  to  Canada. 
The  colored  members  of  our  vigilance  committee  informed 
me  that  an  infant  died  in  that  basement  once  before,  and 
they  took  up  a  part  of  the  floor  and  buried  the  child  in 
the  grave  prepared  for  it,  to  avoid  suspicion;  for  its  par- 
ents were  the  slaves  of  a  wealthy  Keutuckiau,  who  was 
making  great  efforts  to  capture  the  family. 


162  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

CHRISTIAN  AND  EDUCATIONAL  WORK. 

VERY  many  incidents  of  interest  we  must  pass  over; 
but,  suffice  to  say,  there  was  seldom  a  week  passed  with- 
out a  slave  or  slaves  leaving  a  boat  or  otherwise  crossing 
the  river  in  quest  of  freedom. 

I  met  on  the  street  a  sister  White,  who  was  much  dis- 
tressed about  her  sou,  who  was  almost  gone  with  consump- 
tion, and  yet  was  unwilling  to  see  any  minister  or  religious 
person,  to  say  any  thing  to  him  about  a  preparation  for 
the  change.  "  Do,  please,  go  with  me  now  to  see  my 
dying  son  Harvey.  May  be  he  '11  listen  to  you." 

I  went  to  her  house,  and  found  him  too  weak  to  talk 
much.  The  mother  introduced  me  as  her  friend  who  had 
called  on  her.  I  took  his  emaciated  hand,  and  said,  "  I 
see  you  are  very  low  and  weak,  and  I  do  not  wish  to 
worry  you  with  talking,  but  you  have  but  little  hope  of 
being  restored  to  health  I  should  judge  from  your  appear- 
ance." 

He  turned  his  head  on  his  pillow  as  he  said,  "  I  can 
never  be  any  better — I  can  't  live." 

"  Then  your  mind  has  been  turned  toward  the  future, 
and  may  the  enlightening  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  lead 
you  to  the  Great  Physician  of  souls,  who  knows  every  de- 
sire of  the  heart,  and  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost,  even 
at  the  eleventh  hour."  I  saw  the  starting  tear  as  he  looked 
earnestly  at  me,  while  I  was  still  holding  his  feverish  hand 
in  mine.  "Will  it  be  too  much  for  you,  in  your  weak 
condition,  if  I  should  read  to  you  a  few  of  the  words  of 
our  Lord  and  Savior?" 

"  O  no,  I'd  like  to  hear  you." 


A  DEATH-BED   REPENTANCE.  163 

I  opened  to  John  xiv ;  and  upon  reading  a  few  verses 
I  saw  that  the  impression  made  was  deepening,  and  asked 
if  it  would  worry  him  too  much  if  I  should  spend  a  few 
moments  in  prayer. 

"  O  no,  I  'd  like  to  hear  you  pray." 

Placing  my  hand  on  his  forehead,  I  implored  divine  aid 
in  leading  this  precious  soul  to  the  cleansing  fountain,  and 
that  his  faith  might  increase,  and  in  its  exercise  be  ena- 
bled to  secure  the  pear\  of  great  price. 

As  I  arose  from  his  bedside,  he  reached  out  both  hands 
for  mine,  and  said,  "  I  want  you  to  come  to-morrow."  He 
wept  freely ;  and  I  left  with  the  burden  of  that  precious 
soul  upon  my  heart. 

The  mother  aud  sister,  who  were  both  professors  of 
religion,  stood  near  the  door  weeping  for  joy  over  the  con- 
sent of  the  dear  son  and  brother  to  listen  to  the  few  words 
oi'  reading  and  prayer. 

The  day  following  I  met  the  sick  man  again,  and  as 
soon  as  1  entered  his  mother's  room  she  said,  "0,  how 
thankful  we  are  to  God  for  this  visit  to  my  poor  boy !  He 
seems  in  almost  constant  prayer  for  mercy.  Early  this 
morning  he  spoke  of  your  coming  to-day." 

As  I  entered  his  room  he  threw  up  both  hands,  saying, 
"  God  will  have  mercy  on  poor  me,  won't  he?" 

"  Most  certainly,"  I  responded ;  "  his  word  is  nigh  thee, 
even  in  thy  heart,  and  in  thy  mouth." 

"  Do  pray  for  me,"  he  requested. 

I  read  a  few  words  from  the  Bible,  and  followed  with 
prayer,  in  which  he  joined  with  a  few  ejaculations.  I  left 
him  much  more  hopeful  than  on  the  previous  day. 

The  next  morning  his  sister  came  for  me  in  great  haste, 
saying,  "  Brother  Harvey  wants  to  see  you,  quick." 

It  was  not  yet  sunrise;  but  I  hastened  to  obey  the 
message,  as  I  supposed  he  was  dying.  Not  a  word  passed 
between  us  until  we  reached  her  brother's  room.  Upon 
opening  his  door  he  exclaimed,  "  Glory,  glory  to  God, 


164  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Mrs.  Haviland !  Come  to  me  quick,  I  want  to  kiss  you ; 
for  God  brought  me  out  of  darkness  this  moruing  about 
the  break  of  day.  O  hallelujah!  Glory  to  Jesus!  He 
shed  his  blood  for  poor  me ;  and  I  shouted  louder  than  I 
could  talk  for  a  good  many  days.  O,  how  I  wish  I  had 
strength  to  tell  every  body  that  I  am  happier  in  one  min- 
ute than  I  ever  knew  in  all  my  life  put  together!" 

He  became  quite  exhausted  in  shouting  and  talking, 
and  I  advised  him  to  rest  now  in  the  arms  of  the  beloved 
Savior. 

"  Yes,  I  am  in  his  arms.  Glory  to  his  name  for  what 
he  has  done  for  me!  I  want  you  to  see  my  cousin  George; 
he  is  sick,  and  not  able  to  come  to  see  me  to-day." 

I  told  him  I  would  within  a  few  days,  and  left  him, 
with  his  cup  of  salvation  overflowing. 

About  t"wo  hours  before  he  died  he  looked  at  his 
mother,  smiling,  and  said,  "There's  Mary;  don't  you  see 
her,  standing  at  the  foot  of  my  bed  ?" 

"  No,  my  son,  mother  do  n't  see  her." 

"  O,  how  beautiful  she  looks!  It  seems- as  if  you  must 
see  her ,"  and  he  looked  very  earnestly  at  the  object. 
"There,  she's  gone  now."  Fifteen  minutes  before  he 
breathed  his  last  he  said,  "  Here  she  is  again,  and  so 
beautiful !  Mother,  can 't  you  see  her  ?" 

"  No,  son,  I  can  't  see  her." 

"  Beautiful,  beautiful  she  is.  There,  she 's  gone  again." 
Just  as  the  soul  took  its  flight,  he  upraised  both  hands, 
with  a  smile,  and  said,  "  Here  she  is,  with  two  angels  with 
her.  They  've  come  for  me ;"  and  the  hands  dropped 
as  the  breath  left  him,  with  the  smile  retained  on  his 
countenance. 

The  sister  Mary,  that  died  a  number  of  years  previ- 
ously, was  about  four  years  old ;  and  his  mother  told  me 
she  had  not  heard  her  name  mentioned  in  the  family  for 
months  before  Harvey's  death. 

My  time  was  fully  occupied  in  caring  for  the  sick  and 


AT  A  SIC'K-BED.  165 

dying,  as  cholera  had  become  very  prevalent  and  fatal. 
Among  the  many  who  died  with  that  disease  were  Levi 
and  Catherine  Coffin's  daughter  Anna,  about  ten  years  of 
age,  and  a  lady,  the  mother  of  three  children,  whose  dying 
request  was  that  I  should  take  charge  of  her  children  until 
the  return  of  their  father,  who  was  in  California. 

A  few  weeks  passed,  and  my  promise  to  Harvey  White 
was  forgotten,  until  one  morning  it  rushed  upon  me  with 
such  force  that  I  trembled.  I  hastened  to  see  him,  and, 
to  my  surprise,  he  too  was  very  near  to  death  with  con- 
sumption, and  without  hope.  His  mother  was  a  widow, 
also  an  earnest  Christian ;  but  her  sou  George  would  not 
allow  her  or  any  of  the  ministers  of  her  acquaintance  to 
talk  with  him  on  the  subject  of  religion.  But  he  was  glad 
to  hear  that  his  cousin  Harvey  had  died  so  happy;  and 
she  thought  if  I  should  tell  him  about  Harvey  he  would 
listen  to  me.  He  could  speak  but  little  above  a  whisper, 
I  told  him  of  my  reading  to  Harvey,  and  asked  if  he  would 
like  to  hear  me  read  the  same  to  him.  He  said  he  would ; 
and  I  read  the  same  words,  and  told  him  how  earnestly 
his  cousin  Harvey  had  prayed,  and  God,  who  hears  and 
answers  prayer,  answered  him,  and  he  died  a  happy  Chris- 
tian. His  feelings  became  tender,  and  I  knelt  by  bis  bed- 
side in  supplication.  As  I  was  about  to  leave,  he  said: 

"  There  is  a  difficulty  in  my  way,  and  I  think  you  can 
remove  it;  but  I  am  more  rested  early  in  the  morning,  and  if 
you  can  come  to-morrow  morning  I  will  tell  you  what  it  is.** 

I  told  him  I  would  be  there  if  life  and  health  were  spared. 

The  following  morning  I  met  him  more  rested.    He  said : 

"  I  have  tried  to  piny  to  God ;  then  it  seems  as  if  Jesus 
Christ  stands  there,  and  if  I  pray  to  Jesus  it  do  n't  feel 
quite  clear,  because  1  want  to  go  to  head-quarters,  and  I 
am  confused,  and  do  n't  know  where  to  go  or  what  to  do, 
and  so  I  've  given  it  all  up ;  for  it  s  all  dark  before  me, 
and  I've  concluded  to  die  in  the  dark." 

This   sorrowful    condition    of  unbelief   brought    secret 


166  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

prayer  for  divine  guidance  in  words  to  place  the  divinity 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  as  clearly  as  possible  before  him.  I  read 
a  few  passages  where  he  manifested  his  power  by  mira- 
cles, "  that  ye  may  know  that  the  Son  of  man  hath  power 
on  earth  to  forgive  sins."  He  heard  me  attentively,  and 
suddenly  exclaimed : 

"  Now  I  see  it ;  now  I  see  it ;  now  I  've  got  a  foothold. 
Now  I  can  pray.  I  want  you  to  pray  for  me." 

He  followed  in  earnest  prayer.  At  the  close  he  raised 
his  clasped  hands:  "I've  found  him;  I've  got  him.  O, 
how  I  wish  I  could  have  voice  and  strength  to  tell  you 
how  happy  I  am!  I  want  to  go  to  my  Savior;  he  is  my 
all.  But  I  can  not  tell  it  here ;  I  will  tell  it  in  glory. 
It 's  all  light  now ;  the  darkness  is  all  gone." 

He  seemed  much  exhausted,  and  took  leave  of  his 
mother  and  sister,  and  sank  into  a  stupor,  and  quietly 
passed  away  that  afternoon. 

I  felt  under  renewed  obligations  to  praise  Him  for  his 
loving  kindness  in  reminding  me  so  vividly  of  the  promise 
I  made  to  that  dying  young  man,  Harvey  White.  How 
careful  we  should  be  to  attend  to  every  little  errand  as  we 
are  passing  through  our  life-work.  I  felt  to  upbraid  my- 
self for  being  so  inattentive  to  that  request.  Had  that 
precious  soul  left  the  shores  of  time  without  hope  in  Christ, 
I  could  never  have  forgiven  myself  for  my  neglect. 
There  are  neglected  duties  that  dot  my  life  here  and  there 
with  regrets,  that  have  been  lessons  to  teach  the  necessity 
of  greater  faithfulness  in  the  Master's  work. 

The  daughter  of  John  Hatfield  came  to  me  with  the 
word  that  there  was  a  woman  at  their  house  who  wished 
to  see  me.  Her  father  being  a  member  of  the  vigilance 
committee  I  went  without  delay,  and  found  the  woman  in 
great  distress  of  mind.  She  said  she  was  a  slave,  but  had 
the  privilege  of  working  in  Cincinnati  at  house-cleaning, 
washing,  or  any  jobs  she  could  get,  by  paying  her  mistress 
three  dollars  per  week.  In  this  way  she  had  managed  to 


MARY    FRENCH.  167 

lay  aside  for  herself  over  twenty  dollars  during  nearly  two 
years.  She  had  a  husband  and  nine  children,  "  An'  las' 
year,"  said  she,  "missus  was  gwiue  to  sell  my  oldes'gal  an' 
her  baby  to  get  money  to  keep  her  two  gals  in  school  Norf 
somewhars,  an'  she  tuck  her  baby  an'  run  off  for  Canada, 
an'  now  she  says  she 's  got  to  sell  my  Mary ;"  and  her  tears 
came  as  from  a  fountain. 

"  Why  do  n't  she  come  away  as  your  other  daughter  did  ?" 
I  asked. 

'Oh,  she  can't;  missus  won't  let  one  o'  my  family 
come  but  me.  She  let's  me  come  an'  do  all  her  marketin' 
arter  I  gets  all  her  work  a-goiu',  so  my  man  an'  chillen 
goes  on  wid  it ;  she  lets  me  come  to  de  city  to  work,  an'  I 
pays  her  three  dollars  every  week.  Now  I  'se  full  o'  trouble 
over  my  Mary ;"  and  she  wept  so  freely  that  it  was  some 
time  before  she  could  give  me  this  little  sketch.  I  found 
they  lived  fifteen  miles  from  the  river,  and  she  had  placed 
her  money  in  the  hands  of  a  colored  man  by  the  name  of 
Bailey,  to  keep  for  her  to  use  at  some  future  time  in  going 
to  Canada  with  her  family.  He  had  told  her  when  the  right 
time  came  he  would  have  her  money  ready  for  her,  and 
would  help  her.  I  told  her  I  would  gladly  relieve  her  were 
it  in  my  power ;  but  all  I  could  do  was  to  advise  her  to 
bring  her  family  in  the  covered  market  wagon,  and  throw 
a  quilt  or  blanket  over  them ;  then  the  hay  she  always  put 
in  for  her  team  over  that,  and  a  bag  of  apples,  and 
another  of  potatoes,  or  any  thing  she  generally  brought 
into  market,  placed  in  front  so  as  to  present  the  appear- 
ance of  a  load  of  marketing.  As  she  had  been  over  so 
often,  she  said,  the  ferryman  hardly  ever  asked  her  for  her 
pass,  for  he  knew  her  so  well.  "Don't  you  see  you  are 
the  very  one  to  bring  yourself  and  family  here?  You 
could  drive  over  and  take  your  family  to  either  of  three 
places:  to  a  colored  family  on  Macallister  Street,  by  the 
name  of  Hall ;  or  to  Levi  Coffin's,  on  the  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Walnut  Streets ;  or  bring  them  here  to  John  Hatfield's. 

12 


168  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

At  either  of  these  places  you  are  as  sure  of  goiug  through 
safe  as  if  you  were  already  in  Canada.''  She  listened 
with  great  attention,  and  her  tears  dried  away  as  she 
looked  up,  with  her  face  shining  with  hope,  and  said,  "I 
do  b'leve  I  can  do  it ;  I  never  thought  o'  that.  I  '11  go  to 
Bailey  for  my  money  fus  thing;  an'  I'll  go  mighty  soon." 
I  charged  her  not  to  name  to  Bailey  or  any  other  human 
being  this  side  or  the  other,  the  plan  I  had  given  her,  ex- 
cept to  her  own  family.  She  promised,  and  left  with  a 
much  lighter  heart. 

A  few  days  later  I  was  requested  to  meet  Mary  French, 
who  would  be  at  John  Hatfield's  house  at  twelve  o'clock. 
Her  friend  said,  "She  is  nearly  crazy,  an'  I  coaxed  her  to 
see  you.  She's  los'  faith  in  every  body  I  reckon,  for  'twas 
a  good  bit  a.fore  I  could  get  her  to  see  you  agin.  She 
said  she  did  see  you  woust,  an'  you  could  n't  do  uothin'  for 
her.  She's  bin  house-cleanin'  wid  me,  an'  it  'pears  like 
she 's  cryiu'  all  the  time,  day  an'  night,  an'  me  an'  another 
'oman  got  her  to  see  you,  if  I  'd  git  you  to  come  to  Mr. 
Hatfield's  at  noon."  I  found  her  wringing  her  hands  and 
weeping  bitterly.  As  I  looked  upon  that  poor,  despairing 
woman  that  I  had  left  so  hopeful  a  few  days  previously, 
I  felt  that  I  could  say  or  do  nothing  for  her  but  to  point  her 
to  the  God  of  Israel,  who  is  able  and  willing  to  lead  his 
oppressed  children.  I  said,  "  Were  you  ever  a  Christian  ?" 

"I  was  three  years  ago,  an'  I  lived  a  prayin'  life  a  year ; 
then  the  white  folks  did  so  bad,  it  'peared  like  I  could  n't 
live  'ligion,  an'  I  giv'  it  all  up.  Missus  sole  my  poor  gal 
down  de  river,  to  sen'  her  two  gals  to  de  Norf  to  school ; 
now  she 's  gwine  to  sell  my  Mary,  kase  they 's  runuin'  short 
o'  money ;  an'  she  missed  sellin'  my  gal  las'  year.  If  I 
had  n't  lef  de  Lord  maybe  dis  hard  trouble  would  n't  come 
'pou  me."  And  again  she  began  to  wring  her  hands  with 
convulsive  weeping. 

As  I  looked  upon  that  poor,  crushed  spirit,  the 
most  frantic  with  grief  of  any  person  I  ever  saw,  a  feel- 


PL.AXS    PROPOSED.  169 

ing  of  confidence  sprang  up  in  me  that  she  would  become 
free.  Said  I,  "You  have  kuowu  what  it  was  to  ask  God 
to  give  you  freedom  from  sin,  and  make  you  free  from  the 
bondage  of  Satan.  Now  go  to  him  with  full  purpose  of 
heart,  and  he  will  restore  the  joys  of  his  salvation  and 
again  will  set  you  free  in  soul.  Then,  I  feel  confident  that 
the  Captain  of  the  soul's  freedom  will  open  the  way  for 
freedom  from  this  chain  of  slavery  that  now  binds  you  as  a 
family.  Now  go  to  Jesus ;  he  will  do  great  things  for  you. 
You  lose  confidence  in  your  friends,  you  lose  confidence  in 
yourself;  but  go  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  believe  he  will 
direct  you,  and  he  will  do  it.  Let  prayer  be  thy  constant 
work,  then  faith  will  increase — that  will  not  fail."  At  these 
few  words  she  became  calm,  and  said,  as  she  looked  up, 
"Can  you  tell  me  where  my  daughter  is?" 

"Certainly,"  I  said,  "I  heard  from  her  yesterday;  she 
is  in  Carthaginia,  Indiana.  I  had  supposed  she  went 
directly  to  Canada,  and  I  was  sorry  she  stopped  so  near  to 
the  line — not  more  than  one  hundred  miles  off." 

"I  was  tole  she  went  through  this  city  with  her  baby." 
"It  was  true,"  I  answered.     I  was  astonished  to  see  her 
wipe  her  tears  away  and  become  calm  so  soon,  and  con- 
verse with  so  much  composure. 

1 '  If  we  come  soon  can  you  go  a  piece  wid  us  ?" 
"  It  will  make  no  difference  whether  I  am  here 
or  not,  if  you  go  to  either  of  the  places  I  told  you  of. 
There  are  a  great  many  safe  places  here,  but  I  gave  those 
places  you  know  so  well,  and  can  find  day  or  night.  I 
shall  probably  go  to  my  home  in  Michigan  next  week,  and 
it  is  uncertain  when  I  return ;  but  do  n't  forget  to  carry 
your  burden  to  the  Lord  by  constant  prayer  for  his  direct- 
ing hand;  and  whatever  way  he  opens,  take  it;  if  it  should 
be  any  other  way  than  the  plan  I  suggested,  take  it,  re- 
gardless of  what  I  have  said,  except  to  mind  closely  the 
impressions  you  feel  confident  come  from  an  All-wise  Di- 
rector. Do  this,  and  I  have  great  faith  in  your  success. 

15 


170  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Never  have  I  had  the  strong  faith  that  I  have  at  this 
moment,  that  if  you  go  to  the  Savior  for  his  help  in  this 
time  of  your  great  need,  he  will  lead  you  out  of  slavery. 
I  advise  you  not  to  wait  for  Bailey.  If  you  come  here 
you  can  all  be  taken  to  Canada  without  a  dollar." 

This  seemed  to  surprise  her.  She  said  she  could  get  a 
few  dollars,  as  she  was  earning  good  day  wages. 

"One  thing  more  I  would  say,"  I  went  on,  "and  that 
is,  wherever  I  may  be,  whether  in  my  Michigan  home,  or 
here  in  this  city,  I  shall  not  forget  to  implore  divine  aid 
in  the  deliverance  of  this  family  from  slavery." 

With  this  solemn  interview  we  parted,  and  the  burden 
of  prayer  followed  me  to  my  home.  Hardly  a  day  passed 
without  presenting  that  poor  family  at  a  throne  of  grace 
for  their  preservation. 

Two  months  later  found  me  again  in  the  exciting  scenes 
of  Cincinnati.  My  first  inquiry  was  for  Mary  French. 
"Yes,  I  heard  a  few  days  ago  that  her  mistress  had  for- 
bidden her  ever  to  come  to  this  city  again,  and  had  threat- 
ened to  sell  the  whole  family  down  the  river,  and  I  suppose 
they  are  all  sold  by  this  time,"  said  John  Hatfield.  He 
said  she  remained  in  the  city  three  or  four  weeks  after  I 
saw  her,  to  get  money  to  start  with,  but  she  was  too  late. 
Her  Mary  was  sold  just  before  she  returned  home,  and  the 
poor  woman  grieved  so  for  her  poor  girl,  that  he  heard 
her  mistress  abused  her,  and  threatened  to  sell  them  all. 
It  seemed  as  if  I  could  hardly  endure  the  thought,  when  I 
had  indulged  such  strong  hope  of  her  success,  but  I  could  not 
yet  give  her  up,  though  I  regretted  exceedingly  her  delay, 
as  I  felt  great  confidence  that  He  who  notes  the  falling 
sparrow,  and  hears  the  young  ravens  cry,  would  have 
brought  that  family  out  of  bondage. 

While  in  charge  of  the  sick,  word  was  brought  by  a 
workman  in  a  shop  that  there  was  an  exciting  report  in 
town  that  a  market  wagon  brought  over  a  load  of  nine 
slaves  early  that  morning,  and  that  a  reward  of  five  hun- 


A    PRO-SJ,AVERY    FRIEND.  171 

dred  dollars  was  offered  for  information  of  their  where- 
abouts. While  my  heart  leaped  for  joy,  hoping  it  might 
be  Mary  French  and  family,  yet  as  I  was  in  a  pro-slavery 
family,  my  feelings  were  kept  to  myself.  The  man  of  the 
house  said : 

"What  a  pity  to  lose  that  amount  of  property!  But 
according  to  your  principles,  Mrs.  Haviland,  I  suppose  you 
are  glad  of  it." 

"  Certainly.  As  I  told  you  the  other  day,  the  negroes 
have  the  same  rights  from  their  Creator  that  we  have,  and 
no  man  or  class  of  men  has  the  right  to  take  them  away." 

"Now  can't  you  set  aside  these  notions  of  yours?  You 
can  easily  find  out  where  they  are,  and  slyly  report  them, 
and  here's  your  five  hundred  dollars." 

"  I  would  not  for  ten  times  that  amount.  Would  you  do  it?" 

"  Certainly  I  would,  and  should  think  it  my  duty." 

"  I  am  astonished  to  hear  this  from  one  who  professes 
to  be  a  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  a  part  of  whose  mission 
was  to  unbind  the  heavy  burdens  and  let  the  oppressed  go 
free.  It  is  pain  to  me  to  hear  you  advance  the  sentiments 
you  do  in  the  presence  of  your  children  ;  and  a  class-leader 
in  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  I  can  not  hencefor- 
ward acknowledge  you  as  a  brother  in  Christ." 

"  Why,  Mrs.  Havilaud  !  You  are  the  most  uncharita- 
ble person  I  ever  met.  This  hurts  my  feelings  more  than 
any  thing  you  have  said  in  presenting  your  radical  position." 

"  I  do  hope  and  pray  that  the  enlightening  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  may  lead  to  a  far  different  view  from 
your  present  one.  I  am  grieved  to  hear  this  from  one  who 
is  looked  upon  as  a  leader  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  shed 
his  blood  for  the  whole  universe  of  man,  regardless  of  color 
or  nation." 

His  reply  was,  "  I  want  to  refer  you  to  a  few  more 
Scripture  arguments  that  I  have  not  mentioned.  To-night, 
from  seven  o'clock  till  nine,  I  want  to  talk  with  you  on 
this  subject." 


172  A  WOMAN'S  M  FK- WORK. 

I  told  him  I  would  be  ready,  but  I  had  one  request, 
aud  that  was  to  make  this  a  subject  of  prayer,  as  I  should 
myself,  during  the  day.  He  said  he  would  seriously  look 
it  over,  and  left  for  his  business. 

At  nine  o'clock  my  patient  was  comfortably  cared  for, 
and  I  had  been  talking  of  going  to  Levi  Coffin's  on  an 
errand  for  a  number  of  days.  I  asked  permission  of  her 
to  be  absent  an  hour  for  that  purpose,  and  her  consent  for 
two  hours  was  given.  On  my  way  I  called  on  John  Hat- 
field,  to  know  whether  this  company  of  slaves  was  not  the 
Mary  French  family. 

"  Oh,  no,  that  poor  family  has  gone  down  the  river. 
I  heard  some  days  ago  that  they  were  sold  to  a  trader." 

"The  market-wagon  was  the  plan  I  gave  Mary,  and  I 
hoped  so  much  that  it  was  her  family." 

*'  Yes,  but  we  should  be  just  as  glad  for  other  slaves 
panting  for  liberty,  as  for  her,"  and  I  accepted  the  remark 
as  almost  a  half  reproof  for  being  more  anxious  for  her 
than  for  other  slaves. 

As  I  entered  Catherine  Coffin's  room  I  inquired  whether 
she  knew  this  morning's  company  of  the  nine  slaves  to  be 
Mary  French  and  family.  "  I  know  nothing  of  the  name, 
but  a  woman  and  little  child  are  up  in  our  attic;  but  no- 
Ijody  knows  it  about  this  house  but  Levi  and  I." 

"  Please  go  up  and  tell  her  a  friend  is  going  to  call  on 
her,  so  as  not  to  frighten  her." 

"  Go  on  ;  she  '11  know  we  would  let  no  one  but  a  friend 
go  up."  I  walked  slowly  up  to  the  fourth  story,  and  lo! 
on  a  box  in  the  corner  sat  Mary  French,  with  her  little 
grandchild  sitting  at  her  feet.  "  Is  it  possible  that  is 
Mary  French?"  I  exclaimed.  She  sprang  to  me  with  out- 
stretched arms,  clasped  me  with  tears  of  joy.  and  leaning 
her  head  on  my  shoulder,  sobbed. 

"  O,  my  God  has  saved  me  so  far,  but  my  pore  Mary 
was  sole  down  de  ribber,  when  I 's  here  in  de  city  to  git 
a  little  money  to  start  wid.  When  J  gets  into  missus'  door, 


MARY  FRENCH'S  STORY.  173 

I  sort  o'  felt  somethiu'  wrong,  an'  axt  her,  '  Whar's  Mary?' 
She  say,  'I  sole  her  las'  week,'  an'  I  cried,  'O  my  God! 
save  my  pore  chile  Mary!'  au'  she  kotched  up  de  tongs 
au'  beat  me  oil  my  head  'til  I  loss  my  miu',  and  when  I 
come  to  I  was  liiyiu'  011  de  floor  bleediu'.  You  see  here  is 
a  sore  yit"  (pointing  to  her  head).  There  was  a  gash  that 
must  have  beeu  three  inches  long  by  the  appearance  of  the 
scar  and  sore,  yet  uuhealed.  "  Missus  said  I  never,  the 
louges'  day  I  live,  should  set  foot  in  Cincinnati,  'case  free 
niggers  ruin  me,  an'  afore  she  have  such  a  fuss  as  dis,  she 
put  de  hull  of  us  in  her  pocket.  I  kuowd  what  dis  mean, 
and  I  tried  mighty  hard  to  cheer  up  afore  her.  But  my 
tears  was  my  meat  and  drink  a  few  days.  I  'membered 
your  word  to  go  to  de  Lord  day  an'  night,  'case  I  could  n't 
come  to  you  no  mo'e.  In  three  days  he  answered  my 
prayer,  an'  jus'  tole  me  I 's  gwiue  to  be  free,  an'  I  tole  my 
husban'  so,  but  he  could  n't  git  faith  in  me.  I  tole  'im  to 
put  faith  in  God,  as  I  did  now.  But  I  did  lose  faith  in. 
my  bes'  frien'  when  Bailey  tole  me  you  an'  Hatfiel'  be- 
trayed my  gal  Sally,  an'  got  a  hundred  dollars  reward ; 
den  I  was  mos'  crazy.  And  when  dat  'oman  tole  me  to 
go  to  you,  an'  I  tole  her  I  did  talk  to  you,  and  to]e  her 
what  Bailey  said  'bout  you  an'  Hatfiel',  she  said  he  was  a 
bad  man,  an'  lied  only  to  keep  my  money.  She  begged 
me  so  hard  I  tole  her  if  you  'd  tell  me  whar  Sally  is,  I'd 
have  faith  in  you,  an'  when  you  tole  me  so  quick,  all  my 
faith  in  you  come  back.  How  I  wish  you  could  see  my 
man,  for  he 's  so  sure  they  '11  cotch  us.  I  do  n't  know  whar 
he  is,  for  we  's  scattered  among  de  good  people.  O,  what 
a  time  I  had  wid  'im  to  git  'im  started.  I  loaded  an'  un- 
loaded four  times  afore  he  'd  come.  At  las'  a  pore  white 
man  tole  me  he  hear  missus  say  she  gwine  to  sell  us  all  to 
de  firs'  trader  come  along.  I  say,  '  What  shall  I  do?'  He 
say,  '  If  I  was  you,  I  'd  run  away.'  I  say  '  Here  's  my  man 
an'  chillen,  can't  go  widout  'em.'  He  say  'All  go,  an'  if 
dey  cotch  you  'twon't  be  no  wuss  dan  to  go  to  de  trader, 


174  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  if  I  can  do  any  way  to  help  you  I  will,  for  I  feels 
sorry  for  you.'  When  I  tole  my  man,  be  was  so  skeered 
he  did  n't  know  hisself  scarsely.  He  was  ready  to  do  any- 
how I  wants  'im,  an'  I  went  to  dis  white  man,  an'  ax  'im 
for  his  boy  ten  year  ole,  to  go  wid  me  to  market,  an'  take 
all  my  family,  an'  I'd  cover  'em  up  in  de  market  wagon. 
'  An'  I  '11  tell  your  boy  I  wants  'im  to  watch  my  team  for 
me,  an'  I'll  gib  'im  a  dollar.'  'All  right,  only  tell  'im 
what  you  '11  do,  an'  tell  'im  to  come  an'  ax  me ;  an'  he 
musu't  know  I  knows  about  it.'  An'  I  tuk  missus'  young 
hosses,  an'  put  my  man  an'  chillen  in,  cover  'em  up;  den 
put  a  bag  o'  taters  an'  apples  an'  a  basket  o'  chickens  in 
front.  An'  I  had  dis  little  boy  by  de  chickens,  so  if  he  cry 
or  make  a  noise  1  shake  de  basket  an'  de  noise  of  de 
chickens  kill  de  noise  of  de  boy.  An'  I  drove  de  fifteen 
miles  to  de  ribber  by  daylight,  and  drove  back  of  Covin'- 
tou  till  de  smoke  of  de  ferry  boat  rise ;  den  I  prayed  God 
to  keep  de  ferryman  from  axin'  me  for  my  pass.  For  I 's 
mighty  feared  he  would,  'case  I  had  n't  been  here  in  so 
long.  An' jus'  afore  sun  up  my  man  crawled  out  de  back 
of  de  wagon.  I  told  de  boy  to  hoi'  de  hosses  till  I  fix 
somethin'.  I  whispered,  '  Get  back  quick,  for  God's  sake,' 
an'  he  whispered,  'Let's  go  back,  I  knows  dey '11  cotch 
us.'  'Go  back !  Man,  its  death  to  go  back ;  we  'cl  be  in 
jail  in  no  time  waitiu'  for  de  trader.'  An'  he  crawl  back 
an'  I  tuck  'im  up  agin,  an'  we  trimble  like  a  popple  leaf. 
Den  de  smoke  jus'  rise  on  de  ferry-beat,  an'  I  drove  on 
wid  de  white  boy  by  my  side.  I  prayed  dat  de  Lord 
would  n't  let  de  ferryman  ax  me  for  my  pass.  If  he  did 
I 's  gwiue  to  say,  '  Dis  white  boy  my  pass ; '  but  he  did  n't 
say  a  word,  an'  I  praise  God  for  answerin'  my  prayer." 
I  told  her  she  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  five  hundred 
dollars  reward ;  she  was  in  good  hands ;  all  she  had  to  do 
was  to  go  when  they  were  ready  to  take  them ;  but  I 
would  write  a  few  lines  for  her  to  take  to  the  first  stopping 
place  after  leaving  the  city,  advising  to  go  by  way  of 


REWARD   OFFERED.  175 

Carthaginia.  "Write  me  from  that  town,  and  tell  your 
daughter  to  go  on  to  Canada  with  you  without  fail." 

I  left  her  with  a  lighter  heart,  rejoicing  with  that  re- 
joicing family,  though  yet  trembling  with  fear.  The  time 
appointed  for  the  two  hours'  discussion  on  the  subject  of 
slavery  arrived.  My  pro-slavery  friend  was  not  disposed 
to  open  the  conversation  he  desired  in  the  morning.  After 
waiting  until  one  hour  had  elapsed,  I  asked  if  he  was  pre- 
pared to  bring  the  Scripture  arguments  he  had  for  my 
consideration  at  this  hour.  He  replied  that  he  had  thought 
of  but  little  else  during  the  whole  day ;  but  on  the  whole 
doubted  whether  his  reasons  would  stand  the  test,  and  de- 
clined saying  any  thing  farther  in  defense  of  the  position 
he  had  advanced.  A  few  weeks  later  he  died  of  cholera. 
I  called  on  his  widow,  who  said  he  died  a  happy  soul,  and 
often  spoke  of  his  confidence  in  me  as  an  honest-hearted 
Christian,  and  she  never  heard  him  speak  disparagingly 
of  the  colored  people  after  the  long  conversation  we  had 
on  that  subject.  I  regretted  the  loss  of  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  him  after  Mary  French  and  family  were  safe  in 
Canada.  I  wished  to  give  him  their  history,  as  I  felt  sure 
it  would  have  been  "  like  a  nail  driven  in  a  sure  place." 
He  had  lived  in  the  South,  and  the  subject  of  slavery  had 
never  been  placed  before  him  in  this  way. 

The  reward  for  the  nine  slaves  was  doubled  on  the 
second  day  of  their  exodus.  All  the  clew  the  hunters  got 
of  their  whereabouts  was  from  the  boy  they  met  at  the 
ferry.  He  could  not  read  the  names  on  the  streets,  and 
could  only  point  as  near  as  he  knew  in  the  direction  where 
they  all  left.  He  told  them  he  did  n't  know  there  were 
any  in  the  wagon  but  "black  Mary,"  till  they  all  got  out; 
then  she  told  him  to  go  to  Walnut  Street  ferry,  and  he 
drove  two  or  three  blocks  when  he  stopped  and  cried,  be- 
cause he  did  n't  know  where  to  find  Walnut  Street.  Then 
a  man  came  and  told  him  to  stop  crying  and  he'd  drive 
him  to  the  ferry.  They  went  to  Hall's,  ou  Macallister 


176  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Street,  but  not  one  was  left  there  five  minutes.  They  were 
conducted  to  different  hiding-places,  and  not  one  was  left 
within  a  half  a  mile  to  a  mile  from  that  part  of  the  city. 
Slave-hunters  were  paid  from  three  dollars  to  seven  dollars 
a  day  for  watching  around  those  suspected  streets  and 
those  leading  northward.  The  family  were  dressed  in 
disguise  and  taken  out  in  three  carriages,  closed,  and  two 
white  men  in  front,  that  gave  an  impression  at  sight  of  a 
load  of  white  people.  At  noon-day,  in  this  manner,  they 
rounded  the  corners,  where  were  standing  some  of  their 
hunters  who  were  receiving  their  seven  dollars  a  day, 
as  was  ascertained  by  a  scheme  gotten  up  by  the  colored 
people. 

The  next  evening  after  the  nine  fugitives  were  taken 
northward,  they  drove  a  double  carriage  into  an  alley 
near  North  Street,  and  the  same  number  of  colored  people, 
so  closely  watched  for,  were  hustled  in  with  haste,  and 
driven  off  with  speed.  The  call  to  "  Stop,  HALT,"  was  not 
heeded,  until  the  police  rushed  at  the  increased  cry,  "  Stop 
Hiief,  STOP  THIEF,"  and  slackened  their  pace.  But  while 
the  excited  crowd  gathered  to  see  the  police  arrest  the 
thieves,  the  colored  man  beside  the  driver  demanded  the 
reason  why  he  and  his  ladies  should  receive  this  insult  to 
hinder  their  pleasure  ride.  By  throwing  a  light  from  their 
dark  lantern  in  the  faces  of  their  pursuers,  the  hunters 
they  had  suspected  were  recognized,  to  their  great  annoy- 
ance. There  were  those  among  them  who  would  not  have 
been  exposed,  perhaps,  for  half  the  amount  of  the  reward. 

A  few  days  subsequent  to  this  little  episode  I  received 
a  letter  from  Mary,  after  their  arrival  at  Carthaginia, 
where  she  met  her  daughter,  who,  with  her  child,  made 
their  party  number  eleven.  They  very  soon  reached  the 
"land  of  the  free."  Nothing  further  was  heard  from  them 
until  I  went  with  my  two  daughters  to  Windsor,  Canada 
West,  to  attend  their  first  of  August  celebration,  in  com- 
memoration of  West  India  emancipation.  There  were 


IN    CANADA.  177 

gathered  a  very  large  congregation  in  a  grove,  of  both  col- 
ored and  white  people.  While  listening  to  an  eloquent 
oration  delivered  by  Samuel  J.  May,  of  Boston,  I  was 
taken  from  my  seat  and  borne  away  a  few  rods,  hardly 
touching  the  tops  of  the  bushes  with  my  feet.  I  turned 
first  one  way  and  then  the  other,  until  I  discovered  the 
sable  face  of  Mary  French,  with  big  tears  rolling  down  her 
cheeks.  Not  a  word  was  spoken  until  we  were  entirely 
away  from  the  congregation,  and  I  said,  "Mary,  hav'u't 
we  gone  far  enough  ?"  when  she  let  me  down,  and  caught 
hold  of  my  hands  and  kissed  them,  while  tears  of  joy  were 
still  falling.  "O,  how  happy  we  is  to  be  all  free.  Can't 
you  go  to  Maiden  an'  see  all  my  family?  I  knows  my 
man  Avould  come  all  dis  way  afoot  if  he  kuowed  you 's 
here."  I  told  her  I  could  not,  as  I  must  return  the  next 
day  with  my  two  daughters. 

"Isdey  heah?" 

"They  were  sitting  by  my  side,"  said  I;  "those  two 
girls  dressed  in  white  are  my  daughters." 

"Sweet  creturs!  de  little  angels;  I  mus'  go  see  'em. 
I's  got  two  gals  here,  too,  an'  I'll  bring  'em  to  see  you." 
And  soon  her  hands  were  placed  on  the  shoulder  of  each, 
still  weeping  for  joy  as  she  said:  "God  bless  you!  You 
tinks  it  strange  to  see  an  old  black  'omau  come  to  you  like 
dis,  but  you  would  n't  if  you  know'd  what  your  mother  has 
done  for  me  an'  my  family.  If  it  had  n't  been  for  her  we 
should  all  been  in  slavery  to  dis  day.  I  wants  you  to  go 
out  dar  whar  you  see  your  mother  staudin'  afore  a  great 
while.  I'm  gwiiie  back  to  her  now."  She  came  with  her 
two  girls,  who  were  also  very  demonstrative  in  shaking 
and  kissing  my  hands ;  but  they  laughed  instead  of  weep- 
ing as  did  their  overjoyed  mother.  By  the  time  my 
daughters  came  to  us  we  were  served  with  cake  and  ice 
cream.  As  she  and  her  daughters  had  on  the  ground  a 
little  stand  from  which  they  made  sales,  their  favors  in 
this  line  were  repeated. 


178  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

Instead  of  one  year's  suspension,  as  we  designed,  we 
had  deferred  finishing  our  institute  building  iu  Michigan 
from  time  to  time,  until  four  years  had  elapsed.  A  new 
school  law  made  provision  for  a  school  for  colored  children 
in  any  place  where  the  colored  people  could  support  such  a 
school  one  term  containing  fifteen  scholars.  My  daughter 
Anna  and  myself  taught  their  school  of  one  hundred  pupils 
in  the  basement  of  Ziou  Church,  Cincinnati,  one  term. 
The  expenses  were  paid  from  the  school  fund. 

With  several  fugitives,  I  started  on  my  way  to  Toledo 
from  Cincinnati,  and  spent  a  day  at  our  friend  William 
Beard's.  From  thence  we  were  taken  to  Newport,  Indi- 
ana, where  was  a  meeting  appointed  iu  behalf  of  Calvin 
Fairbanks,  in  which  I  gave  a  sketch  of  my  visit  to  Louis- 
ville jail  in  his  behalf.  I  read  the  letter  I  had  received 
from  his  lawyer  on  leaving  Cincinnati,  containing  a  propo- 
sition to  do  the  best  he  could  for  him,  and  with  that  object 
in  view  he  staved  off*  the  case  to  the  next  session  of  their 
court.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  fifteen  dollars  were 
raised,  Bishop  Quinn,  of  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  giving  one-third  of  it.  As  there  was  a  fall  of 
snow  a  foot  deep,  the  friends  concluded  to  take  us  across  a 
swamp,  which  would  save  a  number  of  miles;  and  as  there 
were  indications  of  a  thaw,  one  man  offered  his  team  and 
double  sleigh  if  a  certain  colored  man  would  go  that  night 
and  drive  it.  We  were  soon  well  protected  from  the  pro- 
spective inclement  weather,  with  the  buffalo-robe  presented 
to  me,  and  quilts  around  the  balance  of  our  load. 

The  shifting  wind  brought  quite  a  snow-storm,  that 
covered  us  over  about  three  inches  deep.  My  company 
being  very  cold,  I  advised  to  stop  at  a  house,  the  dim 
light  of  which  was  so  tempting  to  the  shivering  company. 
I  went  to  the  door  and  asked  permission  to  enter,  giving 
our  number,  and  our  object  in  going  through  the  swamp 
before  a  break-up.  The  two  old  people  granted  the  favor ; 
but  when  the  old  lady  saw  the  color  of  my  company  she 


OX  THE   ROUTE.  1*79 

became  rather  suspicious.  Said  she,  "If  these  are  slaves 
we  do  n't  want  any  trouble,  because  you  know  the  Fugi- 
tive-slave Law  makes  a  deal  of  trouble  in  some  places." 
I  assured  her  they  would  have  none  of  that  character  on 
our  account,  for  these  young  people  were  going  with  me 
to  attend  my  school.  When  we  were  wanned  and  the 
horses  fed,  we  left  our  kind  friends  to  borrow  no  more  trouble 
for  fear  of  being  disturbed  with  slave-hunters. 

About  three  o'clock  we  came  to  a  large  half -finished 
frame  house,  brilliantly  lighted,  and  the  man  seemed  to  be 
preparing  his  team  for  leaving.  I  called  with  our  driver  to  see 
if  we  could  warm  ourselves  and  feed  the  team,  giving  our 
reason  for  crossing  the  swamp  to  save  distance,  and  as 
there  were  indications  of  a  thaw  in  the  afternoon,  we  chose 
to  come  through  that  night.  The  man  said  that  was  his 
reason  for  going  for  a  load  of  lumber  so  early — he  fearing 
a  break-up.  They  were  very  kind,  and  insisted  on  our 
resting  till  daylight,  and  taking  a  warm  breakfast.  The 
invitation  was  accepted  with  gratitude.  I  spent  my  time 
in  conversing  with  our  kind  hostess,  while  my  company 
slept  an  hour. 

At  nine  o'clock  we  reached  Carthaginia.  The  first  one 
we  met  was  a  colored  woman,  of  whom  I  inquired  where 
we  could  find  a  place  to  tarry  for  a  night,  and  find  prov- 
ender for  our  horses.  She  took  in  our  situation  at  once, 
and  pointed  to  a  large  frame  house  in  sight,  the  house  of 
Samuel  Jones,  half  a  mile  distant.  While  she  was  giving 
this  information,  a  man  ahead  of  us,  with  his  carriage, 
stopped  and  turned  back,  saying,  "There  is  Mr.  Jones 
now,  coming  to  see  you,  I  reckon."  As  he  came  to  us,  I 
told  him  of  the  inquiry  I  made  for  a  resting-place.  "And 
that  is  my  house  for  you  and  barn  for  your  horses,"  he 
said.  After  giving  each  of  us  a  shake  of  the  hand,  he 
said,  turning  to  me,  "  I  know  you,  though  I  never  saw 
you  before,  and  I  will  tell  you  of  a  circumstance,  after  we 
get  home,  whereby  you  will  recognize  me."  We  followed 


180  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

him  to  his  very  comfortable  home.  We  were  soon  seated 
at  a  luxurious  table.  Breakfast  being  over,  he  related  a 
circumstance  in  which  I  had  taken  a  deep  interest,  and  by 
corresponding,  the  release  from  slavery  of  his  relative  was 
effected. 

Brother  Jones  gave  me  ten  dollars  for  brother  Fair- 
banks, in  the  Kentucky  prison.  Here  we  took  leave  of  our 
conductor,  Henry  Marshal,  and  a  team  and  teamster  were 
provided  to  take  us  on  by  way  of  Bellefoutaiue.  The  an- 
ticipated warmer  weather  overtook  us,  and  with  a  wagon 
we  left  Carthaginia.  Streams  with  floating  ice  made  ford- 
ing difficult,  especially  Mosquito  Creek ;  but  our  driver 
and  Simon  measured  the  depth  of  water,  and  with  rails 
pushed  the  floating  ice  from  the  ford,  to  enable  me  to  drive 
through.  Working  as  they  did  with  all  their  might  to  keep 
the  cakes  of  ice  from  running  against  the  horses  and  from 
impeding  the  wheels,  when  we  reached  the  swift  current 
of  the  stream  a  cake  blocked  the  wagon  so  as  to  stop  the 
horses  a  few  moments.  One  horse  became  discouraged  ami 
began  to  lie  down.  At  this  the  three  women  jumped  upon 
a  large  floating  cake,  froiii  which  they  reached  the  shore 
with  the  help  of  the  men.  Our  teamster  found  his  way 
into  the  wagon  ;  and  by  pushing  and  crowding  this  way 
and  that  he  loosened  the  wheel,  and  with  continued  urging 
and  Simon's  wading  to  the  horses'  heads,  they  finally  pulled 
through.  We  drove  to  a  house,  where  the  men  changed 
their  socks,  and  rubbed  their  horses  with  straw,  they  said, 
two  hours,  and  then  fed  them.  We  pursued  our  journey 
without  further  difficulties  to  our  school  in  Toledo. 

Often  did  my  whilom  slave  scholars  refer  to  the  excite- 
ment at  Mosquito  Creek  ford.  I  found  the  prejudice  here 
very  bitter  against  a  colored  school;  but  the  colored  people 
had  combined  their  weak  forces  and  built  a  church,  designed 
for  school,  as  well  as  their  occasional  meetings.  My  school 
averaged  nearly  twenty  scholars  during  the  term,  at  the 
close  of  which  we  put  in  a  petition  for  a  support  from  the 


COLORED    SCHOOL,  181 

school  fund.  But  a  majority  of  two  ruled  against  us;  for, 
although  the  State  law  required  them  to  support  this  school, 
they  had  already  complied  with  the  requirement. 

Although  I  had  designed  to  return  home  and  re-open 
Raisin  Institute,  yet  to  press  the  board  of  education  into 
its  duty  I  reopened  their  school  for  the  second  term ;  and 
every  time  that  board  met  I  met  with  them  with  my  peti- 
tion, informing  them,  at  their  first  refusal  to  adopt  the 
school,  that  this  petition  of  the  importunate  widow  would 
stand  before  them  until  it  was  granted.  They  frequently 
inquired  of  the  colored  people  how  long  1  was  going  to 
teach  for  them.  The  answer  every  time  was,  as  I  told 
them,  until  the  board  of  education  took  it.  In  their  dis- 
cussions in  the  board  I  understood  it  was  frequently  re- 
marked by  our  opposers  "that  the  end  of  that  negro  school 
would  be  when  Mrs.  ffaviland  left,  and  that  would  n't  be 
long,  for  the  negroes  were  too  poor  to  pay  her."  But  it 
was  not  for  money  that  I  taught  their  school,  but  to  see 
justice  meted  out  to  them. 

There  were  fifteen  families  of  the  lower  class  of  Irish 
who  lived  in  shanties  near  the  canal  that  ran  within  a  few 
rods  of  our  school-house,  and  as  the  most  of  our  school 
passed  them,  or  would  have  to  go  half  a  mile  farther,  we 
got  from  one  man  in  particular  a  systematic  cursing;  be- 
ginning with  cursing  my  feet,  and. cursing  every  toe  on 
them,  and  cursing  every  nail  on  every  toe,  and  so  on,  to 
cursing  my  head,  and  cursing  every  hair  on  it.  This  reg- 
ular set  of  curses  were  for  me  every  time  I  passed  when 
he  was  in  his  cabin,  and  frequently  a  number  of  others 
standing  by  would  join  him.  But  as  he  or  some  of  the 
others  were  so  often  drunk,  it  was  a  long  time  before  I 
could  find  the  suitable  opportunity  to  go  to  their  cabins 
and  have  a  talk  with  them,  as  I  desired.  As  some  of  their 
company  were  so  boisterously  furious,  the  children  did  not 
dare  pass  them  unless  I  was  with  them,  for  in  addition  to 
cursing  they  were  stoned. 


182  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-\VORK. 

"When  the  second  term  was  two-thirds  through  I  pro- 
posed a  picnic  for  the  school  and  its  friends,  and  had  the 
scholars  declaim  a  few  pieces.  An  eloquent  speech  deliv- 
ered in  the  House  of  Lords,  when  immediate  emancipation 
was  discussed  in  the  English  parliament,  was  well  com- 
mitted and  declaimed  by  one  of  the  young  men.  A  num- 
ber of  the  colored  people  feared  a  mob,  but  the  majority  were 
willing  to  risk  any  measure  I  thought  best  to  adopt.  I 
trained  them  thoroughly  in  speaking,  and  they  trained 
themselves  in  singing,  and  the  school  selected  a  little  girl 
to  be  crowned  as  their  queen  of  May,  and  on  the  25th  of 
May  we  marched  through  town  to  a  grove,  with  two  beau- 
tiful banners.  The  one  borne  by  the  young  woman  who 
walked  by  my  side  bore  the  motto,  "  God  is  love,"  and 
next  -to  it  all  the  girls  followed  in  couples.  Then  followed 
the  young  men  and  boys  in  the  same  manner,  headed  by 
the  banner,  upon  which  was  inscribed,  "Knowledge  is 
power."  I  instructed  the  children  and  young  people  to 
walk  straight  forward,  and  not  even  turn  their  heads  to 
the  right  or  left,  and  not  to  notice  by  look  or  word  any 
remark  that  might  be  made,  not  even  to  talk  to  each  other 
until  we  reached  our  little  stand  in  the  woods.  Not  a 
word  of  disrespect  was  heard,  and  some  of  the  white  peo- 
ple who  drove  out  with  their  carriages  told  me  they  had 
not  seen  such  order  in  marching  in  any  of  the  May  picnics 
that  the  white  schools  had  had  that  Spring.  They  were 
highly  delighted  with  our  exercises.  At  the  next  session 
of  the  board  my  school  was  recognized  as  a  public  one, 
and  the  chairman,  Rev.  Dr.  Smyth,  was  authorized  to  hire 
me  to  teach  the  next  term.  He  met  me  on  the  street  and 
said,  "  Mrs.  Haviland,  the  importunate  widow's  prayer  is 
answered ;  your  petition  is  granted  at  last,  and  I  am  in- 
structed to  hire  you  for  the  next  term." 

'Then  my  work  is  finished  with  this  term,"  said  L 
"My  object  is  accomplished.  I  have  business  at  home  that 
I  hoped  to  have  entered  upon  when  I  closed  last  term; 


IRISH    FRIENDS.  183 

hut  as  your  board  refused  to  do  its  duty  I  continued,  al- 
though I  have  not  averaged  twenty-five  cents  a  week  dur- 
ing the  six  months,  as  a  large  majority  of  the  colored 
people  here  are  very  poor." 

"  I  know  that,  and  I  have  contended  from  the  first 
that  they  ought  to  have  a  school;  but  I  am  suprised  at 
your  not  remaining  in  the  school,  as  you  shall  have  a  fair 
compensation  now." 

I  told  him  I  would  give  him  the  name  of  a  competent 
teacher,  who  was  now  working  himself  through  college  at 
Oberliu — John  Mitchel — a  worthy  Christian  young  man  of 
their  own  color,  with  whom  they  could  correspond  and  se- 
cure his  services.  His  parents  were  living  in  Toledo,  and 
he  would  be  pleased  to  accept  the  positi3u.  I  thanked  the 
board  through  their  chairman  for  the  favor  they  had 
granted  in  behalf  of  the  colored  people  in  Toledo. 

It  being  the  seventh  day  of  the  week,  as  I  was  passing 
my  Irish  friends,  and  all  quiet,  and  a  company  sitting  on 
the  grass  in  the  shade  of  their  cabins,  I  accepted  this  as 
my  long-sought  opportunity  to  talk  with  them.  Address- 
ing a  group  of  half  a  dozen  women,  I  said :  "  I  have  long 
desired  to  talk  with  you,  as  I  am  confident  you  do  not 
understand  me  in  teaching  this  colored  school.  I  have 
felt  it  my  duty  to  aid  the  most  neglected  class  of  pecple. 
We  are  apt  to  indulge  in  prejudices  against  certain  classes 
or  nations  of  people.  Koine  people  are  prejudiced  against 
the  German  people.  They  '11  say  he's  nobody  but  a  Dutch- 
man, he  's  not  worth  noticing ;  and  others  are  prejudiced 
against  the  Irish,  and  will  say,  '  They  are  nobody  but  Irish 
people,  they  are  not  worth  noticing;'  and  others  are  pre- 
judiced against  black  people :  '  They  are  nobody  but 
negroes,  and  they  are  not  worth  noticing.  And  then  there 
are  some  who  are  prejudiced  against  soldiers,  or  sailors,  as 
classes  of  men.  People  are  too  apt  to  despise  other  na- 
tions and  classes  of  men.  All  this  is  wrong;  God  made 
us  all  as  it  pleased  him,  and  it  is  not  for  us  to  find  fault 

13 


184  A  VOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

with  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  loves  all  the  human  fam« 
ily  alike.  As  we  acknowledge  the  fatherhood  of  God,  we 
should  also  acknowledge  the  brotherhood  of  man  in  all 
nations  and  classes." 

Said  one  man  to  his  friend  sitting  by,  "  In  faith,  Pat, 
that's  good  doctrine."  "Yes,  indade,  that's  the  doctrine 
Father  Mathew  prached,  ye  know."  "Jamie,  that's  all 
right,"  said  another.  One  of  the  women  concluded  she 

O          ' 

would  know  the  truth  of  the  reports  they  had  gotten  up 
among  themselves. 

"  An'  did  ye  not  marry  a  nagur?" 

"Why,  no!  my  husband  was  a  white  man,  who  died 
a  number  of  years  ago." 

"And  was  he  a  black  man?" 

"  He  was  a  white  man,  and  he  left  me  with  eight  chi) 
dren,  all  under  age,  and  the  youngest  and  the  oldest  have 
followed  their  father." 

"  In  fath,  ye  've  seen  a  dale  of  trouble,  I  'm  sure ;  and 
we  heard  that  black  man  we  often  saw  comin'  from  schult 
with  ye  an'  that  yellow  lass  an'  boy  was  your  chilther." 

"  That  mulatto  girl  and  boy  live  near  my  boarding 
place,  and  they  generally  come  and  go  with  me  to  school 
and  return ;  and  that  black  man  is  a  young  man  who  ha* 
never  had  the  privilege  of  going  to  school  and  learning  t* 
read  and  write  and  the  use  of  figures,  until  I  opened  thi> 
school.  Now  he  can  read,  write,  and  can  use  figures  fc 
good  advantage." 

"  But  it 's  a  pity  we  did  n't  know  ye  before.  We  V 
been  hearin'  all  this  about  ye,  an'  not  a  bit  of  it  true 
Our  people  was  about  to  set  fire  to  your  schule-house — ii 
faith,  they  said  they'd  give  ye  a  dressiu'  of  tar  an'  fithers- 
an'  our  praste  forbid  it." 

"I  knew  nothing  of  that,"  said  I;  "  but  I  wanted  you 
to  understand  me  before  I  left,  which  will  be  in  four  weeks. 
Then  they  will  have  a  fine  young  colored  man  from  Oh^r 
lin  College  to  teach  their  school." 


CHRISTIAN  WORK.  185 

"  But  what  a  pity  that  is,  for  I  'm  sure  they  '11  not  get 
another  such  a  tacher  as  you.  Indade,  I  'm  sorry  to  hear 
you  're  to  lave  us ;  I  Yl  like  to  have  my  little  gal  go  to 
your  schule,  if  ye  '11  take  'er." 

The  man  who  was  the  systematic  curser  came  to  his 
door:  "  Indade,  missus,  we  did  n't  know  ye;  an'  now  we'll 
fight  for  ye,  an'  we  are  sorry  we  did  n't  know  ye  for  so 
long." 

When  I  left  them  I  shook  hands  with  them  all,  for 
by  the  time  our  conversation  closed  about  all  their  little 
community  had  convened,  and  I  took  occasion  to  speak 
highly  of  Father  Mathew,  the  great  temperance  reformer 
of  Ireland;  and  my  little  congregation  pronounced  as  strong 
blessings  upon  me  as  they  had  curses.  Even  my  system- 
atic curser  was  among*  my  best  friends  after  that,  and  my 
scholars,  as  well  as  myself,  were  treated  with  the  utmost 
respect  ever  after,  and  two  of  them  sent  for  me  when  very 
sick  and  not  expected  to  live,  one  of  whom  died  a  few 
days  after.  As  she  was  in  great  distress  of  mind,  I  read 
to  her  some  of  those  precious  promises  of  our  Savior,  from 
which  she  drew  great  consolation.  It  would  seem  to  many 
like  casting  pearls  before  swine  to  turn  aside  to  present  the 
truth  to  such  ignorant  and  disliking  people,  but  it  is  ours 
to  obey  these  little  impressions,  and  leave  the  result  with 
the  All-wise  Director. 

During  my  work  in  Toledo  I  called  on  a  colored 
woman  to  solicit  a  little  change  for  a  very  sick  man  who 
was  very  low  with  consumption,  and  was  being  cared  for 
by  a  very  poor  family,  and  as  she  gave  me  twenty-five  cents 
a  beautiful  white  girl  was  sitting  by,  who  gave  another 
quarter.  After  school  I  called  again  and  inquired  for  that 
young  woman  who  gave  for  that  sick  man,  without  giving 
me  time  to  ask  for  her  mite,  and,  to  my  surprise,  found 
she  was  an  inmate  of  a  house  of  ill-fame,  and  tried  to 
make  Mrs.  Buck  promise  not  to  tell  me  where  she  was  living; 
for  if  I  knew  it  I  would  never  speak  to  her.  1  sent  for  her 


186  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WOEK. 

to  meet  me  the  following  day  after  school,  at  her  house. 
I  found  her  sitting  in  the  parlor  waiting  for  me.  As  I 
took  her  by  the  hand,  placing  the  other  on  her  head,  I  said, 
"My  dear  girl,  you  are  an  unhappy  child."  And  she 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  and  as  soon  as  she  could  suffi- 
ciently command  her  feelings  to  relate  her  history  I  found 
she  was  compelled  by  her  stepfather  to  live  away  from 
home.  She  had  lived  a  year  or  more  with  a  worthy  woman, 
who  kept  a  boarding-house  in  Cleveland ;  and  there  came 
to  board  a  few  weeks  a  fine  appearing  young  man,  who 
professed  great  affection  for  her,  and  proposed  marriage. 
He  told  her  his  father  was  a  very  wealthy  merchant  in 
Toledo,  and  he  was  there  on  business  for  his  father.  After 
he  had  won  her  affections  he  proposed  to  take  her  to  To- 
ledo, and  place  her  in  a  boarding-nouse  until  she  could 
make  up  two  rich  silk  dresses  and  other  clothing  suitable 
for  her,  as  he  was  not  willing  his  folks  should  know  he  was 
marrying  a  poor  girl.  He  could  easily'  take  a  dress  pat- 
tern from  each  bolt  of  silk  and  his  father  never  know  it, 
and  any  other  goods  she  needed.  As  his  father  was  going 
to  New  York  for  a  new  supply  of  goods,  he  would  supply 
her  with  other  goods  to  make  up  until  his  father's  new 
goods  came,  then  he  would  hire  a  dressmaker  to  make  up 
her  silk  dresses.  All  this  she  fully  believed,  as  from  a 
true  and  faithful  lover,  to  whom  she  had  given  her  heart's 
best  and  purest  affections.  She  said,  "A  number  of  days 
I  hesitated,  because  I  wanted  to  tell  my  mother  all  about 
it;  but  he  persisted  iu  leaving  Cleveland  secretly,  and 
return  on  our  bridal  trip  to  surprise  my  mother  aud  that 
cruel  stepfather.  At  last  I  foolishly  consented,  to  my  ruin 
and  sorrow,  for  I  havii't  seen  one  moment  of  peace  since 
I  was  deserted  by  that  man ;"  and  again  bathed  herself 
in  tears.  Recovering  herself,  she  continued,  "I  wouldn't 
have  my  mother  know  this  for  the  world.  She  is  a  good 
Christian  woman.  She's  a  Methodist,  and  has  seen  a  sight 
of  trouble  with  my  stepfather;  aud,  if  she  knew  this,  it 


RESCUED    FROM    SHAME.  187 

would    break  her    heart."     On   further    inquiry   I  found 
he    brought    her    to    this    house    as   an    excuse    to   keep 
her  secluded   until  they  were  about  to  be  married,  when 
he  would  pay  her  board  a  few  days  in  the  finest  hotel  in 
the  city.     "The  next  day  after  our  arrival  he  brought  me 
a  beautiful  lawn  dress-pattern  and  a  package  of  other  ma- 
terial for  me   to  make  up  while  waiting  for  his  father's 
goods.     And  not  till  then   had  he  offered  in  word  or  act 
any  thing  amiss   from  a  perfect  gentleman.     It  was  the 
next  day  after  our  arrival  in  this  city,  and  to  this  house, 
that  he  proposed  to  live  two  weeks  as  if  we  were  married, 
as  it  would  be  about  a  week  or  two  at  longest  when  the 
goods  would  be  here,  and  he  would  get  one  or  two  dress- 
makers to  prepare  me  for  my  wedding.     I  cried  two  days 
over  this  proposition,  and  by  this  time  I  had  learned  the 
character  of  this  house.     Here  I  was,  a  stranger  to  every 
body,  but  still  had  confidence  in  my  new  friend;  and  again, 
to  my  bitter  sorrow,  I  yielded.     But  day  after  day  of  anx- 
ious waiting  passed  until  two  weeks  expired,  and  no  new 
goods  yet;  but  another  lawn  dress-pattern  came  for  me  to 
make  for  myself,  and  another  two  weeks  rolled  away  with 
only  hearing   (he  said)   that  the  goxls  were  on  the  way. 
But  at  the  close  of  the  third  two  weeks  he  was  missing. 
Daily  I  waited  his  coming.     At  length  I  went  on  the  street. 
I  inquired  for  his  name  and  the  name  of  his  father's  store, 
when,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  no  such  store  or  names 
wore  found  in  the  city.     Here  in  a  strange  place,  deserted, 
ruined,  and  filled  with  shame,  I  had  no  heart  to  go  to  my 
friends."    She  had  been  here  six  months.     I  advised  her 
not  to  remain  in  this  house  another  twenty-four  hours. 
"But  what  shall  I  do?    Mrs.  Cassaday  will  lock  me 
up  if  she  knows  I  am  going  to  leave  her.     She  called  me  a 
fwl    for  giving  you  that  quarter;    she  says  these  Chris- 
tians are  down  on  us ;    and  if  any  of  us  should  die,  there 
would  n't  one  of  them  come  to  pray  for  us.     I  told  her  I 
believed  you  would."     I  told  her  to  pack  her  trunk,  and 


]88  A    WOMAN  S    LIFE-WORK. 

if  she  was  down  town  near  the  time  for  the  boat  to 
leave  for  Cleveland,  to  call  a  dray  mail  to  take  her  trunk 
to  the  boat  and  follow  it,  if  possible,  before  Mrs.  Cassaday 
came  in.  I  told  her  how  to  manage  ill  going  to  her  old 
employer,  and  to  tell  her  you  were  deceived  by  that  young 
man,  bnt  you  found  him  untruthful.  "As  you  say  Mrs 
Cassaday  kept  you  sewing  moist  of  the  time,  you  can  tell 
her  you  were  employed  most  of  tie  time  in  sewing ;  but 
do  not,  at  present,  tell  her  or  your  mother  of  the  life  you 
have  lived,  and  place  of  your  residence  while  here."  fehe 
promised  she  would  gladly  take  my  advice,  and  leave  for 
Cleveland  the  first  opportunity.  As  we  parted  she  leaned 
her  head  upon  my  shoulder,  with  fast  dropping  tears,  and 
said,  "I  shall  always  thank  you  for  acting  the  part  of  a 
mother  in  helping  me  away  from  this  horrible  place." 
The  following  morning  she  called  to  leave  word  with  Mrs. 
Buck,  that  fortunately  for  her  Mrs.  Cassaday  was  out  just 
in  time  for  her  to  call  a  drayman,  that  had  just  gone  with 
her  trunk  to  the  lx>at,  and  she  was  now  on  her  way  to 
Cleveland,  happier  than  she  had  been  in  six  months,  and 
that  she  shouH  do,  in  all  respects,  as  I  had  advised.  Here 
was  a  beautiful  girl  decoyed  and  led  from  the  paths  of  vir- 
tue by  an  artful,  desiging,  and  licentious  young  man,  who 
basely  sought  her  ruin  by  winning  the  affections  of  an 
innocent  girl.  Hundreds  and  thousands  of  these  girls  are 
in  like  manner  led  astray,  and  might  be  saved  if  mothers 
in  Israel  would  take  them  by  the  hand  of  sympathy  and 
lift  them  from  the  mire  of  this  moral  pollution. 

At  another  time  a  request  was  left  with  my  hostess  to  go 
to  see  a  very  sick  woman,  who  was  thought  nigh  unto  death; 
but  for  a  little  girl  that  heard  the  request  I  should  not  have 
received  it.  She  said,  these  poor  white  trash  would  curse 
me  in  health,  and  when  they  thought  they  were  going  to 
die,  they  were  ready  then  to  send  for  me  to  pray  for  them ; 
and,  as  I  was  tired  enough  to  rest  after  teaching  all  day, 
she  did  not  think  I  ought  to  go  for  their  calls.  I  told  her 


VISITS   OF    MERCY.  189 

if  she  would  be  so  kind  as  to  deliver  all  errands  of  that 
character  I  would  be  very  thankful,  and  hastened  to  the 
bedside  of  an  old  soldier  of  the  cross,  who,  with  her  aged 
companion,  were  visiting  their  children.  She  said  she  did 
not  expect  to  remain  much  longer  in  this  world  of  check- 
ered scenes;  but  her  sou  had  been  here  a  short  time 
only,  and  had  not  formed  any  acquaintances  among  Chris- 
tian people,  and  their  hired  girl  said  "  she  was  passing  your 
school-house  one  morning  and  heard  you  opening  your 
school  with  prayer,  and  I  told  her  to  find  your  boarding- 
place,  and  leave  word  for  you  to  come  after  your  school 
closed,  as  I  wanted  to  hear  the  voice  of  prayer  once  more." 
I  read  a  chapter  and  offered  prayer  by  her  bedside.  She 
and  her  weeping  husband  and  children  thanked  me  for  the 
call,  and  desired  me  to  call  the  day  following,  after  school. 
I  found  her  somewhat  improved,  and  the  next  door  neigh- 
bor said  Dutch  Mary  was  in  the  adjoining  room,  and 
seemed  much  affected,  and  said  that  was  the  first  she  heard 
read  from  the  Bible  in  seven  years,  and  the  first  prayer 
she  had  heard  in  that  time,  and  she  would  be  glad  to  see 
me,  but  she  would  not  disgrace  me  by  coming  to  her 
house.  Then  the  woman  told  her  she  would  ask  me  to  see 
her  in  her  room,  and  send  for  her  when  I  came  u)  see  the 
sick  woman. 

I  met  her  in  great  distress  of  mind.  She  told  me  of 
the  wicked  life  she  had  spent  during  the  last  seven  years 
of  her  widowhood,  and  wanted  to  know  if  I  thought  there 
was  any  hope  whatever  for  her.  "  Do  you  think  God  can 
forgive  me?  I  have  never  so  much  as  opened  my  Bible 
that  lies  in  the  bottom  of  my  chest  all  these  seven  years, 
until  yesterday  I  went  home  and  took  my  Bible  for  the 
first  time  to  read  in  these  years ;  and  I  felt  so  condemned 
after  I  read  awhile  that  I  laid  it  back,  and  did  n't  know 
whether  it  was  of  any  use ;  for  I  have  lived  such  a 
wretched  life  so  long  I  doubt  whether  God  can  forgive  me, 
for  I  feel  worse  and  worse.  Do  you  believe  he  can?" 


190  A  WOMAN'S  LI FK- WORK. 

"  Certainly  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost.  It  is 
the  enlightening  influence  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  that  is 
showing  you  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin." 

I  read  tc  her  the  readineas  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  forgive 
sin.  "  How  ready  to  bless  the  humble  and  contrite  heart! 
Only  Ixilieve  this  with  all  thy  heart,  and  the  blood  of 
Jesus  is  sufficient  to  wash  away  every  blaiu  that  sin  has 
made.  Though  they  be  as  scarlet,  he  will  make  them 
white  as  snow."  We  knelt  together,  and  she  too  offered 
earnest  prayer  for  strength  to  live  the  new  life,  which  she 
firmly  resolved  to  do. 

I  saw  her  a  week  later,  and  she  said  she  informed  those 
men  with  whom  she  had  committed  those  darkest  of  sins 
of  her  firm  resolution  to  live  a  virtuous  life,  and  she  locked 
her  door ;  but  they  persisted  in  troubling  her  through  the 
night,  threatening  to  tear  her  house  down  or  burn  it. 

"  Three  nights  I  suffered  from  them.  But  by  constant 
prayer,  l)elieviug  God  would  take  care  of  me,  I  was  de- 
livered from  them.  And  I  have  plenty  of  washing,  iron- 
ing, and  house-cleaning  to  do ;  and  I  get  along  so  much 
better  than  I  expected  I  could.  I  do  want  to  go  to  meet- 
ing; but  so  many  know  of  my  wicked  life  I  am  afraid  to 
go  inside  of  a  church."  • 

I  told  her  to  go  to  whichever  Church  she  felt  most  at 
home,  and  the  Lord  would  open  the  way  for  her,  and 
enable  her  to  bring  up  her  little  girl  of  eight  years  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

At  the  close  of  my  school  I  left  this  field,  so  white  to  the 
harvest,  to  enter,  as  I  supposed,  upon  a  field  of  home  mis- 
sions. At  the  expiration  of  a  year  I  visited  Toledo,  and 
inquired  of  one  who  occasionally  employed  Dutch  Mary, 
but  knew  nothing  of  my  experience  with  her,  how  she  was 
prospering.  The  cheering  reply  was,  "  Splendidly ;  I 
have  n't  heard  a  disparaging  word  of  her  fgr  mouths,  and 
there  used  to  be  hard  stories  about  her."  I  heard  she  had 
united  with  the  Baptist  Church,  and  I  think  she  is  trying 


RAVED.  191 

to  live  a  Christian.  If  she  had  not  left  town  on  a  visit  to 
her  friends  I  should  have  seen  her,  but  the  report  I  heard 
of  her  was  heart-cheering.  May  God  bless  her,  and  all 
who  are  receiving  life -giving  power  who  were  dead  in 
trespasses  aud  siu 


192  A    WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK 


CHAPTER  VIII 

FUGITIVES  IN   CANADA. 

WHILE  visiting  friends  in  Detroit  and  Canada  previous 
to  reopening  Raisin  Institute,  as  I  designed,  I  was  earnestly 
solicited  by  Henry  Bibb,  Horace  Hallack,  and  Rev.  Chas. 
C.  Foote,  the  committee  authorized  to  employ  a  teacher, 
to  open  a  school  in  a  new  settlement  of  fugitives,  eight 
miles  back  of  Windsor,  where  the  Refugee  Association  had 
purchased  government  laud,  on  long  and  easy  terms,  for 
fugitive  slaves. 

They  had  erected  a  frame  house  for  school  and  meeting 
purposes.  The  settlers  had  built  for  themselves  small  log- 
houses,  and  cleared  from  one  to  five  acres  each  on  their 
heavily  timbered  land,  and  raised  corn,  potatoes,  and  other 
garden  vegetables.  A  few  had  put  in  two  and  three  acres 
of  wheat,  and  were  doing  well  for  their  first  year. 

After  prayerful  consideration,  I  reached  the  conclusion 
to  defer  for  another  year  my  home  work,  and  enter  this 
new  field. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1852  I  opened  school,  and  gave  no- 
tice that  at  eleven  o'clock  the  following  Sunday  there 
would  be  a  Sabbath-school  for  parents  and  children,  after 
which  a  little  time  would  be  spent  in  other  religious  exer- 
cises, pursuing  the  same  course  I  did  in  Toledo,  Ohio.  This 
drew  a  number  of  callers  who  had  no  children,  to  see  if  they 
could  come  to  my  Sabbath-school ;  and  when  I  told  them 
it  was  for  every  body  of  any  age  who  desired  to  come,  my 
school-house  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity.  Many  fre- 
quently came  five  or  six  miles  with  their  ox-teams  to  attend 
these  meetings,  with  their  families.  Every  man,  woman, 
and  child  who  could  read  a  verse  in  the  Testament,  even 


A  MARRIAGE.  193 

with  assistance,  took  part  in  reading  the  lesson,  and  liberty 
was  given  to  ask  questions.  It  was  not  strange  to  listen 
to  many  crude  ideas;  but  a  more  earnest,  truth -seeking 
congregation  we  seldom  find.  An  aged  couple,  past  eighty, 
missed  very  few  Sabbaths  during  the  year  I  spent  there. 
The  man  was  a  fugitive  slave,  and  his  companion  was  an 
Indian  woman,  converted  under  the  preaching  of  a  mis- 
sionary among  the  Indians.  She  had  taken  great  pains  to 
talk  and  understand  the  English  language,  and  was  an 
interesting  woman. 

As  there  was  an  increasing  interest  both  in  day  and 
Sabbath-schools,  I  gave  liberty  for  all  who  wished  to  enjoy 
a  sort  of  class  or  inquiry  meeting,  following  half  an  hour's 
service  for  exhortation  after  Sabbath-school. 

One  couple  desired  a  private  interview  with  me,  as  they 
had  been  married  only  after  "slave  fashion."  They  said: 

"It  is  not  right  to  live  this  way  in  a  free  country. 
Now  we  wants  you  to  marry  us." 

"  I  am  not  legally  authorized,"  I  said ;  "  but  I  will 
send  a  note  to  brother  Foote,  and  he  will  come  at  once  and 
marry  you  legally." 

"  We  thought  you  preached,  an'  made  notes  for  us,  an' 
could  help  us  out  in  dis  matter  too." 

Charles  C.  Foote  came,  and  we  called  at  their  house  at 
the  appointed  time,  with  a  few  neighbors,  to  witness  the 
solemnization  of  the  marriage  that  would  have  been  ac- 
complished three  years  before  had  they  looked  at  these 
things  from  the  same  stand-point  they  now  did. 

A  few  days  after  another  couple  came  on  the  same  er- 
rand. Said  this  man : 

"  We  wants  you  an'  Mr.  Foote  to  marry  us,  case  we's 
bin  troubled  'bout  dis  many  days,  case  we  wa'  n't  gwine  to 
let  nobody  know  it;  but  God  knows  all  'bout  us,  an'  now 
we's  free  indeed,  we  wants  every  thing  straight." 

"  But  why  do  you  put  me  with  Mr.  Foote,"  I  asked, 
"  to  marry  you?" 


194  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  Did  n't  you  an'  Mr.  Foote  marry  dat  brother  an 
sister  week  afore  las'?" 

"No;  only  brother  Foote." 

"  Brother  Foote  repeated  the  questions,"  they  answered; 
"then  he  pronounced  them  husband  and  wife;  then  they 
were  married  according  to  law.  But  he  axt  you  to  pray 
after  he  said  dem  words." 

In  all  this  ignorance  they  were  like  confiding  grown-up 
children,  patiently  listening  to  every  explanation. 

The  unbounded  confidence  they  placed  in  me  was  sur- 
prising; for  they  often  brought  their  business  papers  for 
me  to  examine,  to  see  whether  they  were  right.  One  man 
brought  me  a  note,  as  the  employer  could  not  pay  him  for 
his  work  in  money.  He  said  it  was  a  note  for  groceries; 
but  the  grocer  refused  to  take  it,  and  said  it  was  not  good. 
I  told  him  there  was  neither  date  nor  name  to  it.  I  wrote 
the  man  a  letter,  asking  him  to  rectify  the  mistake,  which  he 
did;  but  he  gave  his' employee  credit  for  only  half  the  days 
he  had  worked.  They  were  so  often  deceived  and  cheated 
in  many  ways,  because  of  their  extreme  ignorance,  that  I 
did  not  wonder  at  the  conclusion  one  escaped  fugitive  had 
reached.  His  master  was  a  Presbyterian  minister,  but  he  had 
known  him  to  whip  his  sister,  the  cook,  after  coming  home 
from  Church ;  and  he  said  then  he  never  would  have  faith 
in  white  folks'  religion.  Since  coming  to  this  colony  he 
watched  me  a  long  while  before  he  made  up  his  mind  that 
white  people  could  have  a  pure  religion.  But  now  he  be- 
lieved "  that  the  Lord  hid  his  Spirit  in  the  hearts  of  white 
people  at  the  North ;  but  it  was  a  make-believe  in  slave- 
holders." 

I  was  surprised  one  day  to  meet  the  mother  of  three 
of  my  scholars,  who  gave  her  thrilling  experience  in  her 
escape  from  slavery;  but  she  had  little  more -than  com- 
menced her  story  before  I  found  her  to  be  one  for  whom 
I  laid  a  plan  with  her  sister,  who  had  bought  herself.  As 
I  named  a  circumstance,  she  exclaimed  in  surprise,  "Why 


FUGITIVES    LEARNING    TO    WHITE.  195 

honey!  is  dis  possible?  God  sent  you  here  to  larn  my 
gals  to  read,  an'  we  did  n't  know  you,"  and  tears  began  to 
drop  thicker  and  faster,  as  she  recounted  the  blessings  that 
had  multiplied  since  her  arrival  in  Canada.  She  had  in 
the  three  years  worked  for  a  little  home.  Her  two  older 
girls  were  at  work,  and  they  were  all  so  happy  in  their 
freedom. 

These  fugitives  often  came  five  or  six  miles  for  me  to 
write  letters  to  their  friends  in  the  South,  with  whom  they 
left  a  secret  arrangement  very  frequently  with  white  peo- 
ple who  were  their  friends,  but  secretly,  for  fear  of  the 
ruling  power,  as  were  the  disciples  of  Christ  who  feared 
the  Jews.  Their  notes,  or  articles  of  agreement,  were  gen- 
erally brought  to  me  to  draft  for  them. 

In  six  weeks  of  steady  attendance  fifteen  young  men 
and  women  could  read  the  second  reader,  and  write  a  legi- 
ble hand,  and  draft  a  negotiable  note.  I  took  a  specimen 
of  a  number  of  my  scholars'  hand-writing  to  an  anti-slavery 
convention  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  left  a  few  with  the 
Rev.  John  G.  Fee,  whose  life  had  been  threatened  if  he 
did  not  desist  from  preaching  a  free  gospel  in  his  home 
State — Kentucky.  But  the  brave  Cassius  M.  Clay  told 
him  to  go  on,  and  he  would  go  with  him.  He  went  to 
one  place  from  whence  he  had  received  repeated  threats, 
and  trouble  was  anticipated ;  but  Cassius  walked  into  the 
church  by  his  side,  and  placed  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  on  the  Bible,  and  over  both  his  brace  of 
pistols,  with  which  he  informed  the  audience  he  should 
protect  free  speech.  At  the  same  time  he  cast  a  glance  at 
the  threatening  group  in  a  farther  corner,  who  left  one  by 
one,  until  the  church  was  cleared  of  all  but  eager  listeners. 
Brother  Fee  said  his  object  in  requesting  these  specimens 
of  the  fugitives  writing  was  to  exhibit  to  those  who  were 
constantly  asserting  that  negroes  could  not  learn.  He 
wished  them  to  see  the  legible  hand-writing  of  those  who 
had  only  six  weeks'  training  from  their  alphabet. 


196  A  WOMAN'S  J.IFE-WOKK. 

After  spending  a  few  days'  vacation,  I  returned  to  the 
toiling  day  and  night  in  my  school.  As  there  were  twelve 
heads  of  families  anxious  to  read  the  Bible  and  hymn-book, 
and  this  seemed  to  be  the  height  of  their  ambition,  I 
opened  an  evening  school  for  that  class.  It  was  steadily 
attended  four  evenings  in  each  week,  and  this,  with  one 
evening  devoted  to  prayer-meeting,  filled  the  week,  leav- 
ing only  one  evening  free ;  and  frequently  they  came  with 
their  ox-teams  to  take  me  three  miles  to  lead  a  prayer- 
meeting  for  them  in  an  adjoining  settlement. 

The  Winter  was  quite  severe,  and  I  frequently  was 
awakened  with  the  snow  sifting  in  my  face,  and  not  uu- 
frequently  found  the  snow  half  an  inch  or  more  deep  over 
my  bed  on  rising  in  the  morning;  but  my  health  was 
firm,  and  I  often  thought  I  never  enjoyed  a  year  of  toil- 
ing better  than  the  one  I  spent  here. 

There  were  in  this  colony  a  mixed  religious  element — 
Baptist,  Methodist,  Presbyterian,  and  Free-will  Baptist — 
deeply  interested  in  Sabbath-schools  and  class-meetings, 
open  to  all  who  wished  to  enjoy  them.  An  organization 
was  proposed.  The  proposition  came  from  the  Methodist 
element,  but  I  did  not  deem  it  wise  to  organize  from  any 
one  denomination,  as  divergent  opinions  would  create  con- 
troversy that  would  bring  harm  to  many  tender  minds. 
Consequently  I  proposed  to  organize  a  Christian  Union 
Church,  without  disturbing  the  Church  relationship  of  any 
one.  I  prepared  an  extract  from  Gerrit  Smith's  concise 
plan  of  organizing,  on  a  liberal  scale,  a  Christian  Union 
Church,  with  but  little  change,  and  read  it  to  them;  and, 
after  a  little  discussion  and  explanation  it  was  readily 
adopted.  I  think  the  number  of  new  converts  was  thir- 
teen, who  expressed  a  desire  to  be  baptized  by  immersion. 
I  exhorted  them  to  attend  to  their  own  religious  impres- 
sions, as  I  was  not  there  to  present  particular  religious 
tenets,  but  to  present  the  crucified,  risen,  and  glorified 
Savior.  Brother  Foote  came  and  complied  with  their  wish. 


A   SAD   HISTORY.  197 

I  closed  my  evening  school  two  weeks  to  hold  a  series 
of  meetings,  in  which  a  young  Baptist  brother  assisted. 
We  all  continued  to  work  together  for  the  highest  good  of 
all  around  us. 

J  noticed  a  settled  sadness  in  the  countenance  of  a 
young  man  of  twenty-five  years,  recently  from  Missouri. 
During  recess  he  took  but  little  interest  in  any  thing  out- 
side of  his  book  or  writing  lesson.  After  attending  my 
school  a  few  days  he  invited  me  to  go  to  his  board- 
ing-place to  spend  the  night,  as  he  wished  me  to  write  a 
letter  for  him.  I  found  his  history  was  a  sad  one.  He 
was  sold  from  his  wife  and  four  little  children  to  satisfy  a 
heavy  debt.  The  master  tried  to  reason  with  him,  and 
said  the  man  he  owed  would  not  take  any  of  his  slaves  but 
him.  He  called  him  aside  to  have  further  conversation 
concerning  the  proposed  sale;  his  wife  presented  herself 
also  to  plead  that  they  might  not  l)e  separated.  Both 
knelt  before  him,  beseeching  with  tears  to  allow  them  to 
remain  together.  Said  he,  "  I  tole  'irn  I'd  serve  'ini  faith- 
fully all  the  days  of  my  life,  if  he'd  only  let  us  live 
together ;  and  he  seemed  to  give  way  a  little,  and  said  he 
did  not  want  to  sell  me,  as  I  was  his  foreman,  and  he 
thought  he  would  make  other  arrangements.  I  watched 
him  closely  as  I  had  but  little  confidence  in  his  words,  and 
armed  myself  with  a  dirk.  One  day  he  called  me  to  go  to 
the  woods  with  him,  to  show  me  the  trees  he  wanted 
chopped.  As  I  was  going  I  saw  the  end  of  a  rope  under 
his  coat-skirt.  I  kept  at  a  reasonable  distance  all  the  way, 
and  when  we  came  to  the  tree  he  wanted  I  should  chop, 
he  attempted  to  come  near  me  and  I  stood  back ;  then  he 
told  me  plainly  I  must  yield.  I  said  I  never  would  per- 
mit myself  to  leave  my  family,  and,  if  he  was  so  deter- 
mined, I  should  never  be  of  any  use  to  any  one,  for  life  to 
me  was  of  no  value  if  I  am  to  be  taken  from  my  wife  and 
four  little  children.  At  this  he,  with  the  other  man,  who 
came  out  of  the  bushes,  ran  towards  me,  but  I  outran 


198  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

them.  About  seven  miles  distant  he  overtook  me  with  a 
number  of  his  slave  men,  and  told  me  I  had  to  give  up. 
I  flourished  my  dirk  and  told  them  that  I  would  kill  the 
first  man  that  touched  me,  or  they  should  kill  me.  At  this 
they  all  stood  back  except  the  master  himself.  He  flour- 
ished his  bowie-knife  and  I  my  dirk,  for  the  space  of  a 
few  minutes,  when  he  made  a  rush  upon  me,  and  he  met 
my  dirk  before  I  met  his  bowie-knife.  As  he  fell  back  I 
ran  for  the  woods.  In  the  darkness  of  the  night  I  made 
my  last  visit  to  my  wife  and  little  children." 

Here  he  became  convulsed  with  weeping.  When  he 
could  command  his  feelings  to  pursue  the  sad  story, 
he  said: 

"Oh,  that  was  an  awful  parting!  The  moment  I  en- 
tered my  wife's  cabin  she  threw  her  arms  around  my  neck, 
exclaiming,  'Oh,  my  dear  Bill,  don't  stay  a  minute,  for 
they  say  you've  killed  Master  Riggs.  They  say  he  was 
dyin'  this  evenin',  and  he's  dead  afore  this  time,  I  reckon, 
an'  they  swear  vengeance  on  you.  Some  said  they  'd  chop 
you  in  pieces — some  said  they  'd  burn  you  alive.'  I  told  her 
if  God  would  help  me  to  Canada  I  would  write  after  awhile 
to  her  father  (he  was  free,  having  bought  himself),  and 
may  be  he  could  manage  to  send  her  and  our  children  to 
me;  and  I  tore  her  arms  from  my  neck." 

Again  he  was  overcome  with  grief.  I  advised  him  not 
to  write  at  present.  I  never  saw  a  more  grief-stricken 
man.  He  was  boarding  with  Henry  Bibb's  mother,  who 
said  she  knew  he  was  a  man  of  deep  trouble,  "for  he 
looked  so  sad  and  groaned  so  much  nights ;  but  I  could  n't 
bear  to  ask  him,  because  I  thought  it  would  be  harder  for 
him  to  forget  it."  Having  been  a  slave  herself,  she  could 
easily  anticipate  the  cause  of  his  sadness.  Notwithstand- 
ing this,  he  made  fair  progress  in  reading,  writing,  and 
arithmetic  in  one  term.  During  this  time  vigorous  efforts 
were  put  forth  for  his  capture. 

While  I  enjoyed  my  work  so  much  with  these  people  in 


NEW    ARRIVAL. 

the  'woods,  in  schools,  in  meetings,  and  in  their  improve- 
ments generally,  I  do  not  say  I  found  with  them  perfection. 
There  were  causes  for  reproof  as  well  as  of  encourage- 
ment. They  made  great  effort  to  improve  their  homes  by 
taking  trees  from  their  woods  to  the  saw-mills  to  be  cut  up 
into  boards  for  better  floors  than  split  logs,  and  for  parti- 
tions to  make  their  little  houses  more  comfortable.  Per- 
haps their  improvements  could  not  find  better  expression 
than  the  report  of  one  of  our  neighbors,  in  reply  to  an 
inquiry  of  a  friend  in  Detroit,  as  to  how  they  were  pros- 
pering in  their  refugee  colony.  "  Fine,  fine ;  we've  all  come 
to  life,  an'  are  in  a  strife  to  see  who  '11  make  the  bes' 
house." 

Frequent  arrivals  of  their  friends  from  slavery  often 
produced  much  excitement.  At  one  time  a  company  of 
twenty-seven  arrived,  brought  by  John  Fairfield,  a  Vir- 
ginian. He  often  went  into  the  heart  of  slave-holding 
States  and  brought  companies  away,  passing  himself  as 
their  owner  until  they  reached  a  free  State.  He  tele- 
graphed some  friends  in  Windsor,  and  a  dinner  of  reception 
was  provided  in  one  of  the  colored  churches,  and  a  great 
jubilee  meeting  was  held.  One  very  old  woman,  between 
eighty  and  ninety  years  old,  shouted  as  she  jumped  around 
among  the  people,  "I's  young  again.  Glory!  glory! 
Jesus  is  our  Master  for  evermore,  honey,"  shaking  hands 
with  the  new-comers.  "Glory  to  Jesus!  I 's  sixteen  ;"  and 
she  clapped  her  hands  as  she  gave  another  leap.  Said  John 
Fairfield,  "This  pays  me  for  all  dangers  I  have  faced  in 
bringing  this  company,  just  to  see  these  old  friends  meet." 

Our  young  brother  Campbell,  the  licentiate  Baptist 
minister  who  had  labored  with  us  in  our  series  of  meetings  a 
few  months  previously,  returned,  and  with  the  three  Baptist 
families  in  that  community  conceived  the  idea  that  as  I  was 
soon  to  leave,  they  could  organize  a  Baptist  Church,  and 
induce  nearly  all  in  that  colony  to  unite  ;  and  they  went 
to  work  industriously  to  secure  the  individual  consent  of 

14 


200  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

our  Christian  Union  members;  but  the  plan  was,  with 
one  accord,  rejected,  except  by  our  Baptist  friends.  As 
they  said  nothing  to  me  concerning  it,  each  day  brought 
some  complaints  about  their  organizing  a  Baptist  Church 
"over  our  heads,"  as  a  number  expressed  themselves.  But 
I  told  them  "not  to  feel  hurt  over  their  desire  to  organize 
a  Baptist  Church.  We  will  give  way  for  them  to  occupy 
half  the  time."  Brother  Maglothiii,  who  had  just  come 
with  his  family  from  Virginia,  was  an  earnest  Christian 
man  and  a  licensed  Wesleyan  minister,  and  he  was  ready 
to  take  my  place  in  keeping  up  our  Sabbath-schools  and 
meetings. 

Rev.  N.  P.  Colver,  of  Detroit,  had  appointed  the  Sab- 
bath to  meet  the  friends  in  our  school-house,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  a  Baptist  Church  and  of  ordaining  brother 
Campbell  to  take  charge  of  it.  I  told  all  of  our  people  to 
be  sure  and  attend  it  with  me.  As  I  retired  on  the  night 
previous  to  the  proposed  meeting,  I  read  the  sweet  promise 
of  the  loving  Savior,  "I  will  be  with  you  to  the  end,"  with 
an  assurance  of  entire  trust. 

The  hour  arrived,  and  our  house  was  well  filled,  but 
with  many  saddened  faces.  Brother  Colver  gave  a  short 
discourse,  and  ordained  brother  Campbell,  who  was  left  in 
charge  of  the  Baptist  branch  of  the  little  flock.  At  the  close 
of  the  exercises  I  remarked  that  I  hoped  we  would  all  man- 
ifest the  same  abiding  interest  in  each  other's  spiritual  and 
temporal  well-being  as  we  had  heretofore  done ;  that  there 
was  a  fair  understanding  between  the  brethren  and  sisters 
that  every  other  Sabbath  was  to  be  occupied  by  brother 
Maglothiu,  thus  alternating  with  brother  Campbell ;  and 
as  the  next  Sabbath  would  be  my  last  for  the  present  with 
them,  it  would  be  my  duty  to  explain  the  basis  upon 
which  our  Christian  Union  Church  was  organized.  My 
earnest  and  constant  prayer  was  and  ever  would  be, 
whether  present  or  absent,  that  the  love  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  would  ever  dwell  richly  in  each  heart  of  his 


CHURCH    ORGANIZATION.  201 

followers  in  that  community,  with  whom  I  had  spent  a 
year  that  I  could  class  with  the  most  pleasant  of  my  life. 

The  following  Sabbath  found  our  house  well  filled. 
After  singing  an  appropriate  hymn,  and  prayer,  I  read 
1  Corinthians  iii,  with  remarks ;  after  which  I  read  the 
license  from  the  AYesleyaii  Methodist  Conference,  acknowl- 
edging a  qualification  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  In  it  was  granted  liberty  to  organize  a 
company  of  believers  into  a  Church ;  and  I  presented  our 
articles  of  agreement  to  build  each  other  up  in  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit  and  in  the  bonds  of  peace,  regardless  of 
name,  in  this  "Christian  Union  Church."  To  this  we  all 
assented  without  a  jar,  and  some  of  our  Baptist  brethren 
present  voted  in  favor. 

At  this  their  minister  arose  with  an  acknowledgment 
that  he  had  not  understood  the  foundation  of  this  organ- 
ization before,  and  regretted  very  much  what  he  had  said 
against  it,  and  would  ask  pardon  of  all  these  brethren  and 
sisters  and  of  myself.  Before  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
reply  their  deacon  and  another  followed,  asking  pardon 
for  what  they  had  said,  for  now  they  saw  the  wrong.  I 
replied  that  if  feelings  had  been  hurt  by  whatever  had 
seemed  unkind,  they  were  now  healed  by  the  same  love 
and  unity  that  had  so  universally  prevailed  in  our  little 
band,  that  had  given  courage  and  strength  all  through  the 
year.  Here  were  sad  faces  brightened ;  and  others  fol- 
lowed me,  manifesting  the  healing  power  of  love.  The 
Lord  was  in  our  minds  reconciling  to  himself,  and  melting 
away  every  apparent  root  of  bitterness. 

I  left  them  again  united ,  but  our  little  Baptist  organ- 
ization lived  only  till  their  fourth  meeting.  From  their 
own  choice  it  was  discontinued  ;  and,  as  the  majority  in 
that  community  were  of  Methodist  proclivities,  it  has  never 
ceased  to  be  of  that  family  name,  l>eing  a  few  months  after 
reorganized  under  the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 


202  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  had, previous  to  leaving  this  field,  written  to  William 
Anderson's  wife,  Maria,  directed  to  her  father,  and  dated 
in  Adrian,  Michigan,  and  I  instructed  letters  from  her  to 
be  sent  to  that  city  in  my  care.  Soon  after  my  return  a 
letter  came  from  her  father,  as  William  had  directed.  I 
opened  it,  and  found  the  very  plausible  plan  of  bringing 
William's  wife  and  four  children  to  him.  Her  father 
wrote  of  the  loss  of  his  own  wife ;  and  as  the  size  and 
color  of  Maria  answered  to  the  description  of  his  own  wife, 
as  recorded  on  his  manumission  papers,  he  proposed  to  take 
Maria  and  the  children  a  few  miles  away  in  the  night, 
where  they  would  be  kept  secreted  until  the  excitement 
of  hunting  for  them  was  over,  when  he  proposed  to  take 
them  a  night's  journey  northward.  By  that  time  he  hoped 
that  he  could  travel  openly,  with  his  free  papers.  I  re- 
plied as  William  requested,  in  his  name,  and  forwarded 
both  the  letter  and  a  copy  of  my  reply  to  him,  with  a  re- 
newed caution  for  him  not  to  cross  the  Detroit  River,  as 
it  was  possible  that  all  these  plans  were  devised  by  his 
enemies,  instead  of  the  father-in-law  and  his  wife.  They 
had  desired  him  to  meet  them  on  their  way,  and  also  in- 
quired for  names  of  places  and  persons  who  aided  him, 
for  the  purpose  of  passing  through  safely  to  some  point 
where  they  could  meet  to  part  no  more  until  death  itself 
should  separate  them.  I  wrote  him  to  wait  patiently  the 
result,  and  not  allow  himself  to  become  too  much  elated 
over  this  plausible  plan,  for  I  had  written  "  that  there 
were  many  friends  who  assisted  him,  whose  names  he  had 
forgotten,  neither  could  he  call  to  mind  the  names  of  the 
many  places  he  passed  through,  for  he  was  taken  from 
place  to  place  in  haste.  They,  too,  would  find  no  lack  of 
friends ;  and  if  they  brought  his  family  to  Adrian,  Mich- 
igan, and  inquired  for  Mrs.  Laura  S.  Haviland,  a  widow, 
they  would  learn  where  he  could  be  found." 

Not  many  days  elapsed  before  the  answer  came  in  the 
person  of  a  Southerner,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Warren,  of 


WILLIAM    ANDERSON.  203 

Detroit,  with  my  letter  in  his  hand,  and  with  the  state- 
ment that  I  would  know  the  whereabouts  of  William 
Anderson.  He  said  his  family  had  arrived  in  .Detroit  with 
his  wife's  father,  and  that  they  were  in  the  family  of  a 
colored  minister  by  the  name  of  Williams. 

I  told  him  I  was  acquainted  with  the  Williams  family, 
and  was  very  glad  to  hear  of  the  arrival  of  William  An- 
derson's family,  over  whom  he  had  been  very  anxious,  and 
inquired  when  they  came. 

"  Yesterday,  about  four  o'clock,"  was  the  reply.  "  There 
seems  to  be  quite  an  interest  in  the  family  by  the  white 
people.  Mr.  Hallack  gave  me  five  dollars  to  pay  Will- 
iam's fare  to  Detroit  to  meet  his  family,  as  I  volunteered 
to  come  for  him.  And  here  's  a  letter  he  sent  to  his 
father-in-law;  you  can  read  for  yourself." 

I  took  it,  and  as  I  opened  it  recognized  the  letter  I 
wrote  for  him.  "Yes,  this  is  all  right;  it  is  the  letter  I 
wrote  for  William." 

Beginning  t»)  appear  quite  nervous,  he  said:  "You  see 
in  that  there  is  a  statement  that  you  would  know  where 
he  's  at  work ;  and,"  taking  out  his  watch,  "  I  see  we  '11 
have  to  hurry  to  get  to  Adrian  by  train  time,  and  if  you  '11 
be  so  kind  as  to  tell  me  where  to  find  him,  as  they  are 
very  anxiously  waiting  for  us,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you. 
It  would  be  a  great  disappointment  if  we  should  fail  to 
reach  Detroit  when  the  next  train  goes  in." 

He  walked  to  and  fro  across  the  room,  first  to  the 
door,  then  to  the  window,  in  a  hurried,  excited  manner, 
while  I  was  purposely  detaining  him  to  see  him  tremble. 
I  was  quite  satisfied  that  he  was  a  bogus  coin  by  the  index 
of  his  face.  When  I  told  him,  at  length,  that  he  was 
working  in  Chatham,  Canada  West,  and  that  I  wrote  this 
direction  to  avoid  any  possible  scheme  or  plot  to  return 
him  to  hopeless  bondage,  his  face  reddened  and  voice 
trembled  as  he  replied : 

"I   do  ii't  know   any   thing  about  it,  only  what  Mr. 


204  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Hallack  told  me.  That  is  every  thing  that  I  know  in  this 
matter." 

I  told  him  what  Mr.  Hallack  had  informed  him  was  all 
right,  and  he  could  tell  him  to  send  the  family  on  the  first 
train  from  Windsor  to  Chatham,  and  they  would  meet 
William  there.  He  bowed,  "  I  thank  you ;"  but  looked 
as  if  his  words  very  much  misrepresented  him. 

By  the  time  he  was  out  of  sight  I  had  my  horse  and 
buggy  ready,  to  follow  him  to  Adrian,  to  telegraph  Horace 
Hallack  and  George  De  Baptist  to  forward  a  dispatch  to 
William  Anderson,  Chatham,  Canada  West,  to  leave  that 
city  without  an  hour's  delay,  as  I  was  satisfied  his  enemies 
from  Missouri  were  after  him,  and  probably  would  take 
him  as  a  murderer.  The  telegram  was  sent,  and  he 
obeyed  its  request. 

Within  two  days  my  caller  was  there,  inquiring  for 
William,  and  was  told  by  a  number  that  he  had  been  at 
work  in  town  some  time,  but  left  a  couple  of  days  before, 
but  knew  not  where  he  went.  After  a  few  days'  search 
and  inquiries  in  that  town,  he  returned  to  Detroit,  and 
for  the  first  time  called  on  Horace  Hallack  to  inform  him 
that  he  was  in  search  of  a  colored  man  by  the  name  of 
William  Anderson,  who  was  a  free  man,  that  had  com- 
mitted in  the  State  of  Missouri  a  cold-blooded  murder  of 
a  Baptist  deacon,  for  the  paltry  sum  of  five  dollars,  and 
he  understood  he  had  been  quite  recently  in  Chatham, 
Canada,  but  had  left  that  city.  He  would  like  advice  as 
to  what  course  to  pursue  to  ascertain  his  whereabouts. 
Horace  Hallack  referred  him  to  George  De  Baptist,  who 
was  well  acquainted  with  leading  colored  men  in  many 
localities  both  in  Canada  and  this  side  the  river. 

Our  Missourian  was  now  in  good  hands,  as  I  followed 
my  despatch  to  them  with  a  long  letter,  giving  AVilliam 
Anderson's  experience  in  detail.  George  De  Baptist  told 
him  if  he  had  been  a  slave,  he  would  have  taken  every 
measure  within  his  reach  to  protect  him  in  his  freedom. 


ARREST   DEFEATED.  205 

But  as  he  said  he  was  always  free,  and  such  a  high-handed 
murderer  as  he  represented,  he  would  go  just  as  far  to 
bring  him  to  justice.  "I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do;  I 
will  write  to  an  intelligent  colored  man  in  each  of  the 
largest  settlements  of  colored  people,  Chatham,  Amhurst- 
burg,  and  Sandwich,  and  will  receive  replies  from  each 
within  four  days,  and  I  will  give  you  the  result  of  their 
inquiries."  At  the  time  appointed  the  Missourian  returned 
for  tidings. 

Said  George,  "  I  have  received  answers  from  each  let- 
ter, and  from  Amhurstburg  and  Sandwich  they  write 
they  have  known  or  heard  nothing  of  a  man  by  that  name ; 
but  the  man  to  whom  I  wrote  in  Chatham  has  known  all 
about  him,  being  well  acquainted  with  him,  and  he  writes 
that  William  Anderson  had  been  talking  of  going  to  Sault 
St.  Marys,  and  that  he  left  two  weeks  ago,  rather  mys- 
teriously, without  telling  him  or  any  any  one  else  where 
he  was  going;  but  the  greater  probability  was  he  went 
there." 

He  gave  the  letters  to  him  to  read  for  himself.  Con- 
sequently he  hired  Mr.  Warren  and  another  man,  and 
took  the  trip  to  Sault  St.  Marys,  where  he  spent  a  week 
inquiring  for  William  Anderson ;  but  he  failed  to  get  the 
least  clew  to  his  whereabouts,  and  returned  to  Detroit. 
He  left  a  power  of  attorney  with  his  friend  Warren  to  ar- 
rest him  in  case  he  could  be  decoyed  over  the  Detroit 
river;  if  that  plan  did  not  succeed,  he  was  to  telegraph 
him  if  he  found  his  whereabouts  in  Canada.  If  these 
plans  failed,  he  left  directions  to  arrest  me  with  a  United 
States  warrant.  But  about  the  time  I  was  to  have  been 
arrested  Mr.  Warren,  the  man  who  was  empowered  to  ar- 
rest me,  died  with  cholera — a  singular  coincidence.  Mr. 
Warren's  brother  expressed  deep  sorrow  and  regret  to  find 
the  papers  granting  legal  authority  to  transact  such  busi- 
ness in  his  brother's  possession  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  allowed  George  De  Baptist  to  see  them  before  they 


206  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

were  destroyed.  This  was  the  second  time  cholera  defeated 
my  arrest. 

Pursuit  was  still  continued  for  William  Anderson. 
Three  years  after  I  fell  in  company  with  D.  L.  Ward,  at- 
torney of  New  Orleans,  in  a  stage  between  Ypsilanti  and 
Clinton,  Michigan.  He  was  making  some  complaints 
about  the  North,  which  drew  forth  a  few  remarks  from 
me.  "Oh,  I  am  glad  I  've  got  hold  of  an  abolitionist.  It 
is  just  what  I  have  wished  for  ever  since  I  left  my  home 
in  New  Orleans.  Now  I  want  to  give  you  a  little  advice, 
and,  as  it  will  cost  you  nothing,  you  may  accept  it  freely, 
and  I  hope  you  will  profit  by  it;  and  that  is,  when  you 
abolitionists  have  another  Sims  case,  call  on  Southern  legal 
gentlemen,  and  we  will  help  you  through.  We  would 
have  cleared  Sims,  for  that  Fugitive-slave  Law  is  defec- 
tive, and  we  know  it,  and  we  know  just  how  to  handle  it.'' 

"  Why  did  you  introduce  a  defective  bill?" 

"Because  we  made  up  our  minds  to  bring  you  North- 
erners to  our  terms,  whether  it  was  constitutional  or  not, 
and  we  have  done  it,  because  we  knew  we  could  do  it ; 
not  because  we  cared  for  a  few  niggers;  for  I  say,  if  a  nig- 
ger cares  enough  for  freedom  to  run  for  it,  he  ought  to 
have  it.  Now  we  knew  that  was  an  unconstitutional  thing 
before  we  put  it  before  Congress;  but  we  put  it  there  to 
let  you  know  we  could  drive  it  down  Northern  throats, 
ind  we  did  it,  too." 

"  I  acknowledge,"  I  replied,  "  that  there  is  too  much 
servility  in  our  North  ;  there  is  too  much  crouching  and 
cringing,  but  I  am  prepared  to  say  there  are  more  than 
eeven  thousand  that  have  never  bowed  the  knee  to  your 
Baal  of  slavery,  and  never  will.  We  never  shall  do  hom- 
age to  your  Southern  goddess,  though  you  may  cry  loud 
and  long  in  demanding  its  worship.  You  say  if  we  have 
another  slave  case,  if  we  come  to  you  to  help  us  through, 
you  will  do  it,  and  that  if  a  slave  wants  his  .freedom  bad 
enough  to  run  for  it,  you  think  he  ought  to  have  it?" 


LETTER  TO  LORD  ELGIN.          207 

"  Yes,  madam,  we  will  aid  you,  for  we  know  just  how 
to  handle  that  thing." 

"Supposing  a  man  is  about  to  be  sold  from  his  family, 
and  he  falls  at  his  master's  feet,  and  pleads  in  tears  to  re- 
main with  his  family,  and  promises  to  serve  him  faithfully 
all  the  days  of  his  life,  if  he  will  only  permit  them  to  re- 
main together ;  but  the  master  persists  in  the  sale ;  the 
slave  makes  his  escape;  is  overtaken  by  his  master,  yet, 
severely  wounding  him,  he  succeeds  in  gaining  his  liberty. 
Now  what  do  you  say  in  regard  to  this  supposed  case?" 

Looking  me  full  in  the  face,  he  asked  my  name, 
which  was  given.  Said  he,  "  I  think  I  am  acquainted 
with  that  case.  Is  it  not  William  Anderson,  a  runaway 
from  Missouri?" 

"  William  Anderson's  case  is  very  similar  to  the  one  I 
have  described." 

"  Oh  yes,  madam,  and  you  are  implicated  in  that  af- 
fair, but  as  you  are  a  lady  I  will  not  disturb  you ;  but 
you  are  liable  to  great  difficulty  in  that  case,  and  I  will 
tell  you  we  are  going  to  have  Anderson  by  hook  or  by 
crook ;  we  will  have  him  by  fair  means  or  foul ;  the  South 
is  determined  to  have  that  man,  and  you  '11  find  your 
House  of  Refuge  will  not  protect  him  either." 

"  This  is  the  way  I  perceive  you  Southern  legal  gentle- 
men will  help  us.  But  you  will  never  get  Anderson  from 
Canada.  Your  determination  will  fail." 

"  We  shall  not  fail,  but  I  will  tell  you  after  I  return 
from  our  filibustering  tour,  as  we  are  going  out  next 
month.  We  are  confident  of  success  in  that,  too,  for  our 
fleet  is  in  good  condition.  We  shall  then  take  Anderson, 
if  not  before,  and  let  you  see  how  much  your  House  of 
Refuge  will  do  to  hold  that  man  from  the  South." 

I  never  heard  from  D.  L.  Ward  from  that  day.  I  had 
written  previous  to  this  interview  to  the  governor-general, 
Lord  Elgin,  of  the  first  effort  to  retake  him  as  a  murderer. 
He  replied  that,  "in  case  of  a  demand  for  William  Ander- 


208  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

son,  he  should  require  the  case  to  be  tried  in  their  British 
court ;  aud  if  twelve  freeholders  should  testify  that  he  had 
been  a  man  of  integrity  since  his  arrival  in  their  dominion, 
it  should  clear  him."  This  information,  however,  I  did  not 
reveal  to  our  Southern  lawyer. 

Three  years  later,  in  which  time  I  had  succeeded  in  fin- 
ishing my  Raisin  Institute  building,  and  reopened  the  insti- 
tution in.  charge  of  a  principal  from  Oberlin  College,  the 
sad  tidings  reached  me  that  William  Anderson  was  lodged 
in  jail  in  the  city  of  Toronto,  under  charge  of  murder  com- 
mitted in  the  State  of  Missouri.  He  was  awaiting  his  trial, 
anAGerrit  Smith  was  one  of  his  legal  advisers.  I  wrote 
immediately  informing  him  of  the  previous  efforts  to  search 
out  his  whereabouts,  and  that  his  pursuers  at  that  date 
(1853)  alleged  that  he  was  a  free  man,  and  had  never  been 
a  slave.  In  reply,  Gerrit  Smith  wrote : 

"  I  am  glad  you  have  given  me  so  much  of  his  history. 
Poor  Anderson  !  I  visited  him  in  jail.  I  will  send  you  my 
speech  in  his  behalf.  I  hope  the  friends  will  purchase  his 
family.  I  have  volunteered  to  do  all  I  can  for  the  poor 
man.  Lord  Elgin  is  removed ;  the  present  governor-gen- 
eral is  a  stranger  to  this  case.  God  bless  you. 

"  I  am  truly  your  friend,  GERRIT  SMITH." 

A  few  days  later,  I  received  the  thrilling  sj>eech  of  Ger- 
rit Smith,  like  the  man,  full  of  pure  and  soul -inspiring 
thought ;  but  I  trembled  with  fear  when  two  of  the  three 
judges  were  in  favor  of  returning  William  Anderson  to  the 
State  of  Missouri,  and  that  Riggs  the  claimant  was  liable 
to  succeed ;  but  through  the  efforts  of  his  friends,  and  the 
opposing  judge,  the  case  was  appealed  to  a  higher  court, 
aud  William  Anderson  was  sent  to  England,  where  he  re- 
mained in  safety  until  the  war  opened,  in  which  time  the 
case  was  adjusted  in  his  favor.  The  Missouri  agent,  Riggs, 
failed,  and  the  friends  of  liberty  rejoiced. 

Three  young  men  fled  from  Daniel  Payne,  Kentucky, 
and  succeeded  in  reaching  Canada,  where  they  had  proven 


CRUELTY     REQUITED.  209 

themselves  worthy  of  their  hard-earned  freedom.  A  few 
mouths  elapsed,  aiid  their  master  came  for  them,  and  tried 
to  hire  them  to  go  back  with  him,  promising  to  make  over 
to  them  manumission  papers  as  soon  as  they  returned.  But 
he  failed  to  inspire  Alfred  and  his  two  brothers  with  confi- 
dence in  his  promise  of  freedom  and  fair  wages  for  their 
work.  He  then  secured  the  aid  of  a  colored  man  to  invite 
them  to  a  dancing  party  in  Detroit  a  few  days  after,  but 
the  boys  mistrusted  that  their  old  master  had  the  handling 
of  this  invitation,  and  did  not  accept  it. 

As  they  had  been  annoyed  two  weeks  by  the  various 
plans  of  "  Master  Dan  Payne,"  they  concluded  the  next 
time  he  gave  them  a  call  to  appear  more  social,  and  gave 
their  plan  to  forty  or  fifty  of  their  friends,  who  were  to  lie 
in  ambush  near  the  old  barracks,  where  one  of  the  brothers 
was  to  have  a  chill,  and  appear  too  sick  to  go  over  the 
river.  But  two  days  passed  before  the  opportunity  arrived 
that  enabled  them  to  carry  out  their  plan.  When  Alfred 
informed  the  ex-master  of  the  illness  of  his  brother,  of 
course  he  must  hasten  to  the  sick  boy  with  a  nice  brandy- 
eling  for  the  chills,  and  he  purchased  a  good  quantity  for 
them  all.  While  he  was  handing  a  glass  of  sweetened 
brandy  to  the  sick  man,  a  company  of  men  rushed  in  and 
held  him,  while  Alfred  and  two  brothers  stripped  him  of 
his  coat,  vest,  boots,  socks,  and  pants,  and  tied  him  with 
a  rope  in  the  same  way  the  master  had  tied  their  mother, 
when  he  compelled  her  to  be  stripped,  and  tied  her  with 
his  own  hands,  and  whipped  her  until  the  blood  ran  to  the 
ground.  Alfred  and  his  brothers  applied  dexterously  the 
slave-whip,  which  they  had  provided  for  the  occasion  by 
borrowing  a  plantation  slave -whip  kept  by  Henry  Bibb 
as  a  reminder  of  his  slave  life.  Daniel  Payne  begged 
heartily  for  mercy.  Alfred  replied  :  "  Yes,  this  is  just  the 
way  my  mother  begged  for  mercy;  but  you  had  no  mercy 
for  her,  and  this  is  to  show  what  she  receeived  Ht  your 
cruel  hands."  They  applied  the  lash  until  the  forty  stripes 

18 


210  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

their  mother  had  received  at  his  hands  had  been  given. 
Then  they  unbound  him  and  gave  him  fifteen  minutes  to 
dress  and  leave  Canada,  and  gave  him  a  quarter  to  go 
with,  keeping  his  watch  and  purse,  which  contained  about 
forty  dollars.  He  crossed  the  river  within  the  given  time, 
and  sent  an  agent  to  call  on  the  authorities,  to  whom  he 
entered  a  complaint  of  being  robbed  of  a  gold  watch  and 
one  hundred  dollars,  but  made  no  complaint  of  the  whip- 
ping. He  affected  to  be  tot  lame  "  with  rheumatism  "  to 
return  to  his  Kentucky  home  for  a  number  of  days,  in 
which  time  the  boys  returned  his  watch,  but  kept  the 
money.  Alfred  and  his  brothers  said  Mr.  Payne  was  as 
untruthful  about  the  amount  of  money  as  he  was  in  call- 
ing his  old  silver  watch  gold.  Suffice  it  to  say,  the  young 
men  were  never  after  troubled  or  annoyed  by  Daniel  Payne, 
of  Kentucky.  Although  it  was  a  course  I  would  never 
have  inaugurated,  yet  it  was  largely  in  human  nature  to 
requite  the  cruelties  heaped  upon  their  mother  when  it  was 
beyond  their  power  to  protect  her. 

With  very  many  pleasant  remembrances,  I  left  this  la- 
borious field  of  labor  for  home  work,  where  I  spent  nearly 
three  years  looking  after  the  best  interests  of  my  children, 
and  making  preparations  to  reopen  Raisin  Institute,  for 
the  moral,  intellectual,  and  spiritual  improvement  of  our 
youth. 


SIX    ESCAPING   SLAVES.  211 


CHAPTER  IX. 

RESCUE  OF  SLAVES. 

A  FAMILY  of  six  left  their  old  Kentucky  home  in  search 
of  freedom.  A  young  wife  who  was  sold  had  made  her 
escape  three  years  previously.  I  noticed  a  stranger  pass- 
ing through  my  gate,  and  as  he  was  a  mulatto,  I  went  out 
to  see  where  he  had  gone.  I  found  him  sitting  in  the 
porch,  waiting  to  see  some  one  of  whom  to  inquire  whether 
he  was  at  the  right  place.  He  handed  a  paper  directed 
to  me  by  an  under-ground  railroad  ticket  agent,  who  in- 
formed me  there  were  six  fugitives  in  his  company.  "Then 
there  are  six  of  you?"  I  asked;  "and  where  are  the  bal- 
ance?" "My  two  brothers  are  back  a-ways,"  he  replied, 
"  'cause  we 's  feared  it  was  n't  the  right  place." 

Being  assured  all  was  right,  he  went  back  for  them. 
They  had  left  their  mother,  with  her  two  little  grandchil- 
dren, in  Carthaginia,  until  the  boys  could  find  a  safe  home 
for  them,  but  they  knew  not  whether  they  should  go  on 
to  Canada  or  find  the  object  of  their  search  short  of  that 
place.  They  heard  in  Carthaginia  that  Michigan  was  the  last 
place  she  had  been  heard  from,  and  that  was  a  short  time 
after  passing  through  that  town.  They  were  directed  to  me 
as  being  most  likely  to  know  the  whereabouts  of  the  young 
wife.  They  had  been  in  my  home  a  number  of  hours  be- 
fore the  elder  brother  dared  make  the  inquiry.  I  noticed 
the  frequent  heavy  sigh  and  sad  countenance,  and  I  thought 
he  was  probably  very  anxious  over  the  safety  of  his  mother, 
and  I  assured  him  that  she  was  in  good  hands,  for  I  knew 
them  to  be  true  friends.  While  he  assented,  yet  all  my 
words  of  encouragement  did  not  seem  to  cheer  him,  while 
the  two  younger  brothers  were  happy.  I  went  through 


212  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK.  , 

my  usual  course  of  giving  them  new  names.  As  they  left 
that  entirely  with  me,  I  gave  as  the  family  name  Ross, 
and  their  given  names  Benjamin,  Richard,  and  Daniel. 
But  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  older  brother  was 
troubled  over  some  friends  he  had  left  behind.  At  length, 
in  a  half  hesitating  and  trembling  manner,  he  ventured  to 
ask  if  I  knew  any  thing  of  a  colored  girl  by  the  name  of 
Mary  Todd. 

"Certainly  I  do,"  said  I;  "and  did  you  know  her?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  was  his  reply. 

"Do  you  know  whether  her  husband  was  sold?  She 
worried  a  great  deal  about  him." 

"  No,  they  talked  of  selling  him  lately."  Then,  after 
a  pause,  "She  isn't  married  again,  is  she?" 

"  Why,  no,  she  is  a  very  steady,  nice  young  woman. 
Every  one  in  the  neighborhood  where  she  lives  takes  a 
great  interest  in  her.  Perhaps  you  are  acquainted  with 
her  husband ;  why  don't  he  come  ?  He  promised  to  fol- 
low her  as  soon  as  he  could." 

While  his  countenance  lit  up  with  joy,  I  had  no  sus- 
picion of  who  he  was  until  he  said,  "  I  am  the  man.  I 
am  her  husband." 

"  Why  did  n't  you  tell  me  that  before?" 

"  I  was  'fraid  of  bad  news  if  I  got  any." 

"Afraid  she  was  married?" 

"  Well,  it 's  been  mighty  nigh  three  years,  an'  I  could  n't 
go  for  a  long  time  off  the  plantation,  after  she  left." 

As  she  was  twelve  miles  from  our  school,  and  by  this 
time  it  was  nearly  night,  I  hastened  to  inform  brother 
Canfield,  a  Wesleyan  minister,  that  the  older  brother  of 
these  fugitives  was  Mary  Todd's  husband.  "Is  it  possi- 
ble," he  asked,  "that  Mary's  husband  has  come  at  last?" 

Soon,  quite  an  excitement  was  produced  in  our  neigh- 
borhood over  the  arrival  of  Mary  Todd's  husband.  The 
next  morning  brother  Canfield  took  him  in  his  buggy  to 
meet  his  wife  and  little  son  he  had  never  seen  ;  and  a  time 


SUPPOSING   A   CASE.  213 

of  great  rejoicing  was  in  the  whole  neighborhood.  As 
they  were  married  after  slave  style,  brother  Canfield  sol- 
emnized the  marriage  legally.  The  minister  said  we  all 
forgot  the  black  skin,  when  we  saw  that  couple  fly  to  each 
other's  arms.  Surely, 

"  Skins  may  differ,  but  affection 
Dwells  in  black  and  white  the  same." 

Mary  had  lived  most  of  the  time  in  the  family  of  Fitch 
Reed,  of  Cambridge.  They  soon  had  a  home  for  their 
mother,  with  her  two  little  granddaughters,  and  were  all 
happy,  industrious,  and  highly  respected. 

One  of  the  common  trials  of  life,  to  mar  our  happiness 
in  our  family-like  institution  (February  23d)  was  the  list- 
less waywardness  of  some  of  our  dear  students,  in  a  deter- 
mined purpose  to  attend  a  dancing  party  under  the  guise 
of  an  oyster  supper.  How  many  delusive  snares  are  laid 
to  entrap  and  turn  aside  the  youth  into  divergent  paths. 
We  found  it  necessary  to  suspend  eight  of  our  students  for 
the  remainder  of  the  term.  It  is  a  painful  duty  of  the 
surgeon  to  amputate  a  limb,  yet  it  may  be  an  imperative 
duty,  in  order  to  save  the  life  of  the  patient,  and  restore 
the  body  to  health. 

This  evening  a  very  remarkable  fugitive  slave  came 
from  Tennessee.  He  had  been  five  weeks  on  the  way,  in 
which  time  he  had  slept  but  one  night,  having  traveled  at 
night  and  buried  himself  in  hay  and  straw  in  barns  in  the 
day-time  to  keep  from  perishing  with  cold,  and  to  avoid 
detection.  He  says  six  years  ago  his  wife  and  child  were 
sold  from  him,  which  caused  him  days  and  nights  of  bitter 
tears.  He  then  firmly  resolved  to  make  an  attempt  to 
gain  his  freedom  by  flight.  He  was  captured  in  Illinois 
after  a  severe  struggle.  He  showed  us  four  pistol-ball 
holes  in  the  arm  he  was  most  dextrously  using  in  his  own 
defense,  and  two  large  scars  which  he  said  were  gashes 
made  at  the  same  time  with  a  Bowie-knife,  which  enabled 


214  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

his  enemies  to  capture  him.  After  they  secured  him  in 
jail  he  was  advertised  in  papers,  which  his  master  saw, 
and  came  and  took  him  back,  and  caused  him  to  be 
whipped  on  the  bare  back  until  the  flesh  was  so  badly 
torn  that  he  was  compelled  to  lie  on  his  stomach  four 
weeks.  During  this  time  he  was  not  able  to  turn  himself. 
After  recovering  his  master  put  him  in  the  iron  works,  of 
which  he  was  proprietor.  "If  I  hadn't  been  one  of  his 
engineers  he  would  have  sold  me  instead  of  giving  me  that 
awful  whipping  that  he  thought  conquered  me;  but  he  was 
mightily  mistaken;  for  it  only  imbedded  in  my  heart  a 
more  bitter  hate  than  ever.  I  appeared  contented  and 
performed  my  work  well.  After  a  few  months,  he  said 
one  day,  'I've  made  you  a  good  boy,  Jim,  and  now  I'll 
let  you  go  to  the  big  city  with  me.'  I  was  very  obe- 
dient, but  he  little  knew  of  my  determination  to  leave  him 
as  soon  as  I  could  make  sure  work  of  it.  That  is  the 
reason  I  would  not  make  friends  with  white  people  till  I 
found  Michigan,  for  we  have  heard  that  people  in  this 
State  are  friendly  to  us,  and  that  it  is  next  to  Canada." 

As  this  man  was  above  mediocrity  as  to  intelligence, 
his  two  days'  stay  with  us  had  a  salutary  influence  over 
our  school.  He  co.uld  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  rest  longer, 
as  he  could  not  be  easy  until  he  reached  Victoria's  domin- 
ions. His  clothes  were  made  comfortable,  and  I  called  on 
a  few  friends  for  a  little  pocket  change,  and  sent  by  him  a 
little  note  to  the  next  station,  where  he  was  aided  on  to 
Canada. 

Our  Spring  term  opened  with  fair  prospects.  A  number 
of  our  students  who  were  suspended  last  term  returned  to 
us,  they  said,  to  redeem  themselves,  and  they  were  as  good 
as  their  word. 

During  our  long  vacation  I  attended  an  anti-slavery 
convention  in  Cincinnati,  where  I  met  a  white  slave  man 
from  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  who  left  his  home  in  the  night 
and  by  morning  took  public  conveyance  as  any  other  white 


A   WHITE   SLAVE.  215 

man  would.  On  reaching  Cincinnati  he  found  friends  of 
the  slave  to  whom  he  revealed  his  condition.  Levi  Coffin 
advised  him  to  go  with  me  to  Michigan.  As  he  was  in 
greater  haste  than  I  was,  he  proposed  to  go  on  at  once. 
Consequently  I  wrote  a  letter  of  introduction  to  my  friends, 
requesting  them  to  furnish  him  with  work.  In  two  weeks 
I  returned  and  found  my  young  friend,  Charles  McClain, 
(for  that  was  the  name  I  gave  him  in  Cincinnati)  at  work 
with  a  friend,  who  said  it  was  a  pity  that  I  had  introduced 
him  as  a  fugitive  slave,  for  they  would  not  have  believed 
it  if  the  statement  had  not  come  from  me. 

He  came  to  our  school  and  improved  very  much  upon 
what  he  had  picked  up  from  the  white  children  who  were 
going  to  school,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  colored  minister  who 
could  read  and  write,  and  by  that  means  could  read  in  the 
second  reader  and  write  a  little.  He  was  often  seen  in 
tears,  and  was  very  anxious  to  have  his  sister  with  him, 
who  was  as  white  as  himself  and,  like  him,  had  straight 
auburn  hair,  blue  eyes,  and  perfect  Caucasian  features, 
without  a  vestige  of  African  descent  that  could  be  detected. 
A  deep  sympathy  was  enlisted  in  his  behalf.  He  was  very 
anxious  to  convey  intelligence  to  that  sister  of  the  ease 
with  which  he  effected  his  escape,  and  that  she  too  could 
free  herself  as  easily.  A  number  of  the  friends  offered  to 
aid,  and  one  friend  placed  thirty  dollars  in  my  hands  to 
bring  about  this  result.  I  wrote  to  a  colored  minister  in 
Little  Rock,  who  replied,  with  a  graphic  account  of  their 
rejoicing  at  his  succ'ess,  and  of  his  sister  Ann's  anxiety  to 
come  to  him,  but  that  she  had  no  means.  Charles  wrote 
to  her  that  he  would  send  means  with  instructions.  As  I 
had  for  many  years  had  a  great  desire  to  see  more  of  the 
system  of  slavery  in  its  own  territory,  as  so  many  people 
of  the  North  were  insisting  upon  our  exaggerations,  and 
that  we  were  judging  the  majority  of  slave-holders  by  the 
few  unprincipled  men  we  had  seen,  I  concluded  to  become 

the  bearer  of  this  message. 

ID 


216  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

•  With  a  well-defined  plan  of  the  streets  and  houses  I 
left  my  home,  in  confidence  that  the  God  of  Daniel  would 
return  me  unharmed.  After  >a  little  visit  with  my  dear 
friends,  Levi  and  Catharine  Coffin,  in  Cincinnati,  I  resumed 
my  journey.  I  felt  a  little  disappointed  at  the  leaving  of 
a  through  boat  an  hour  earlier  than  reported.  Levi  said, 
"  Perhaps  thou'lt  find  it's  all  for  the  best,"  and  so  it  was. 
For  the  second  day  after  leaving  Cincinnati  the  vessel  was 
burned  and  sunk,  with  great  loss  of  property,  and  many 
of  the  passengers  were  seriously  injured,  and  some  fatally. 
As  I  soon  after  passed  the  wreck  of  partially  burned 
furniture  floating  near  the  shore,  and  some  hauled  out 
lying  on  the  bank,  I  was  thankful  for  the  disappointment. 

At  Napoleon  I  left  the  boat  for  another  to  go  up  the 
Arkansas  river,  and  waited  at  the  best  hotel  in  the  place, 
kept  by  the  widow  Reeves.  She  was  probably  a  fair  speci- 
men of  Southern  women.  The  appearance  of  the  people 
made  me  feel  as  if  I  was  out  of  these  United  States.  There 
was  quite  a  company  waiting  to  go  up  or  down  the  river. 
Among  them  were  six  or  eight  young  people — Colonel 
Thompson  with  his  son  and  daughter,  whom  he  was  taking 
home  from  their  school  in  Helena,  Arkansas,  and  a  young 
Dr.  Jackson,  who  was  very  talkative  and  filled  to  over- 
flowing with  affectation.  With  a  twirl  of  his  little  cane, 
and  half-bent  bow,  in  a  simpering  manner  he  addressed 
the  four  young  ladies  sitting  on  the  sofa  before  him : 

"How  did  you  rest  last  night,  ladies?" 

"Quite  well,  I  thank  you." 

"Indeed,  I  am  very  happy  to  hear  it,  for  I  did  not. 
I  was  dreaming  all  night  of  shooting  and  stabbing,  and  I 
had  an  awful  time.  I  suppose  it  was  owing  to  the  awful 
time  we  had  when  I  was  here  last  over  a  nigger  fight,  or 
rather  a  fight  over  a  nigger.  It  seems  he  had  started  to 
run  away  and  they  overtook  him  here,  and  he  fought  like 
a  tiger.  He  had  armed  himself  with  a  six-shooter,  and  I 
tell  you  he  made  the  bullets  fly  lively,  and  they  shot  him 


ON   THE   ARKANSAS   RIVKIl.  217 

before  they  could  catch  him.  He  shot  one  man  dead  and 
wounded  two  or  three  others,  and  I  was  called  upon  to 
extract  a  ball  from  the  shoulder  of  one  man." 

During  this  conversation,  and  much  more  not  recorded, 
I  was  writing  a  letter  home,  directed  to  a  friend  in  Cov- 
iugton,  Kentucky.  There  was  an  understanding,  while  in 
Cincinnati,  that  Levi  Coffin  Avas  to  take  my  letters  from 
our  Coviugtou  friends,  and  mail  them  home. 

To  my  great  relief,  the  small  boat, "  Rough  and  Ready," 
came  in,  and  was  to  leave  for  Indian  Territory,  up  the 
Arkansas  River,  in  two  hours ;  but  a  large  boat  was  going 
up  the  next  day.  I  went  on  both  to  see  what  they  were, 
and  I  found  the  large  boat  looked  more  like  an  old  slaver 
than  a  civilized  craft,  and  made  my  choice  without  making 
known  the  reason.  There  was  in  the  hotel  an  old  lady 
going  on  the  large  boat,  and  she  urged  me  to  accompany 
her,  and  a  young  woman  was  going  on  the  "Rough  and 
Ready."  who  was  anxious  I  should  go  with  her,  as  she  was 
alone,  and  going  to  her  mother  in  Little  Rock.  The  old 
lady  said  she  was  alone,  and  was  going  to  her  daughter, 
and  asked  Mrs.  Reeves  to  intercede  in  her  behalf.  "  Now, 
Mrs.  Smith,  I  '11  make  a  bargain  with  you.  There  is  a 
rich  widower  on  the  big  boat,  and  he 's  got  lots  of  niggers 
and  money.  I  '11  give  him  to  you  if  you  '11  go  on  that 
boat;  and,  I  tell  you,  he's  rich  as  Croesus."  I  had  to  en- 
ter somewhat  into  these  familiarities,  and  told  her  I  would 
not  think  of  being  so  selfish  as  to  take  him  from  her. 

I  finished  my  letter-writing,  and  her  Pomp  was  told  to 
take  my  satchel  to  the  boat  with  the  young  woman. 
There  were  Colonel  Thompson  and  son  and  daughter,  who 
made  themselves  quite  too  familiar  to  be  comfortable.  I 
soon  noticed  the  captain  seemed  quite  disconcerted,  and  made 
many  excuses.  His  cabin  help  were  set  to  cleaning  and 
setting  things  in  order,  and  his  cook  sent  ashore  for  nuts, 
candies,  and  fruits.  We  hardly  had  started  when  Colonel 


218  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Thompson  charged  me  with  being  a  reporter  for  some  pe- 
riodical. I  assured  him  of  his  mistake. 

Said  he,  "  I  knew  you  were  a  reporter;  and  when  Mrs. 
Reeves  was  urging  so  persistently  to  have  a  dance,  I  whis- 
pered to  my  young  folks  not  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with 
it,  for  you  'd  have  us  all  in  some  newspaper." 

I  told  him  I  was  writing  a  letter  to  my  folks. 

Said  he,  "  You  need  not  think  you  are  going  to  fool  us 
in  that  way.  I  saw  you  write  a  few  minutes,  then  stop, 
and  listen  awhile  to  Dr.  Jackson  and  those  young  ladies, 
and  then  write  again,  then  stop  to  listen  to  Mrs.  Reeves, 
and  then  write  again.  I  told  my  children  they  could  see 
you  had  five  or  six  pages  for  some  paper ;  and  you  can 
never  make  me  talieve  that  was  all  for  a  letter.  Now,  if 
you  will  answer  one  question  I  '11  release  you.  Have  n't 
you  written  an  article  for  a  paper  some  time?" 

I  hesitated,  for  the  next  query  would  be,  What  paper  ? 
At  length  I  thought  of  the  note  of  correction  I  wrote  for 
the  Louisville  Courier,  while  in  that  city,  in  behalf  of 
Calvin  Fairbanks,  while  he  was  there  in  prison.  I  finally 
told  him  I  would  not  say  I  had  never  written  any  thing 
for  a  paper. 

"Now,  if  you  will  pardon  me,  just  one  more  question, 
and  if  you  will  answer  that  I  will  be  as  good  as  my  word, 
and  trouble  you  no  more  on  that  score.  What  paper 
have  you  written  for?  I  would  like  to  know  whether  it 
was  a  Helena  paper  or  any  one  in  our  State." 

"No,  not  in  this  State,"  said  I;  "I  did  write  a  little 
card  for  the  Louisville  Courier." 

"Ah,  yes,  that's  it;  that  is  a  good  Democratic  paper. 
I  am  acquainted  with  the  editor.  I  knew  you  were  trying 
to  cheat  us  all  the  while.  I  wish  you  would  write  an  arti- 
cle for  the  Little  Rock  Democrat.  If  you  will  I  will  send 
the  editor  a  letter  of  introduction ;  and  I  know  he  will  pay 
vou  well  for  it." 


AT  J,ITTJ,K  ROCK.  219 

But  I  declined,  and  was  very  much  relieved  Avhen  the 
Thompson  family  reached  their  home  in  Pine  Bluff.  Here 
I  saw  their  slaves  come  to  meet  them  for  their  baggage. 
They  urged  me  to  stop  with  them  and  spend  a  week  or 
two,  and  they  would  take  me  out  into  the  country  to  see 
some  beautiful  plantations,  as  they  had  au  excellent  car- 
riage-driver. The  young  woman  said:  "Pa  has  owned 
him  a  number  of  years,  and  could  always  risk  us  with  him 
anywhere.  Our  plantation  is  not  a  very  large  one,  as  pa 
has  always  had  a  store  on  his  hands ;  but  there  are  some 
very  large  and  beautiful  ones  beyond  us." 

A  sense  of  relief  came  over  me  as  I  saw  them  leave 
the  boat,  and  we  were  the  next  day  landed  in 'Little  Rock. 
Being  after  dark,  I  spent  the  night  at  the  Anthony  House. 
Before  sunrise  I  was  at  the  house  of  our  friends,  who  were 
greatly  rejoiced,  and  sent  for  the  minister,  with  whom  we 
consulted.  After  making  all  necessary  arrangements,  with 
the  signs  fixed  upon  whereby  I  might  understand  when 
the  expected  boat  would  arrive,  whether  any  unfavorable 
indications  were  noticed,  etc.,  I  inquired  for  a  private  and 
convenient  boarding-house,  where  I  could  remain  a  few 
days  waiting  for  tidings  from  a  through  boat.  The  family 
they  named  happened  to  be  where  the  young  woman  who 
came  on  the  same  boat  with  me  Avas  boarding,  with  her 
mother  and  brother-in-law,  who  was  keeping  a  tailor's 
shop.  I  inquired  of  this  young  woman  and  her  mother 
if  they  thought  I  could  secure  board  there  a  few  days, 
while  waiting  for  tidings  from  a  brother.  They  thought 
Mrs.  Shears  might  not  have  a  convenient  room  for  me,  but 
they  would  be  glad  to  have  me  in  their  room.  Soon  the 
matter  was  settled.  The  son-in-law  brought  in  sewing  for 
his  mother  and  sister-in-law,  and  I  made  myself  useful  by 
assisting  them.  The  mother,  Mrs.  Springer,  had  a  nice 
shally  dress  for  me  to  make,  that  she  said  she  could  n't 
have  got  made  to  suit  her  as  well  for  eight  dollars ;  and 
urged  me  quite  hard  to  go  in  with  herself  and  daughter 


220  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

in  opening  a  shop  for  dress-making.  I  also  did  some  sew- 
ing for  Mrs.  Shears,  who  also  became  quite  social. 

Mrs.  Shears  was  very  cruel  to  her  slaves,  aiid  com- 
plained of  the  indolence  of  Jack,  a  boy  of  twelve  years. 
"  But  I  have  n't  got  him  fairly  broke  in  yet.  Do  n't  you 
think,  after  I  paid  eight  hundred  dollars  in  gold  for  that 
nigger,  and  set  him  to  shell  a  barrel  of  corn,  he  spent  all 
that  day  in  doing  nothing?  I  was  just  ready  to  go  away, 
when  a  nigger-drover  brought  a  few  he  had  left,  and  said 
he  'd  sell  cheap,  as  it  was  the  last  he  had  on  hand.  He 
wanted  nine  hundred ;  but  I  told  him  I  'd  give  him  eight 
hundred  in  gold,  and  at  last  he  concluded  to  take  it. 
Well,  as  I  tdld  you,  I  set  him  to  shelling  on  that  barrel 
of  corn,  and  I  don't  s'pose  he  shelled  a  dozen  ears  after  I 
was  gone.  Don't  you  think,  that  nigger  spent  all  that 
day  in  bawling  after  his  mother — a  great  booby,  twelve 
years  old!  He  might  have  some  sense  in  his  head.  I 
gave  him  one  dressing,  to  begin  with  ;  for  I  found  he  'd 
got  to  know  who  was  master.  I  've  had  him  six  weeks, 
and  he  is  n't  hardly  broke  in  yet." 

Poor  motherless  child!  No  doubt  she  too  wept  bitterly 
over  the  separation ;  but  no  word  of  pity,  or  even  a  sigh 
of  sympathy,  must  be  allowed  here.  I  must  listen  to  this, 
and  a  great  deal  more,  with  stoical  indifference. 

As  Mrs.  Shears  had  more  company  than  usual,  she 
came  to  me  one  evening,  and  asked  if  I  would  take  her 
daughter's  bed  in  her  room,  shielded  with  curtains,  for  the 
night.  This  was  satisfactory  to  me.  The  following  morn- 
ing, at  gray  dawn,  the  two  little  boys,  Jack  and  Jim, 
came  in  with  fire  from  the  kitchen,  with  kindling.  The 
mistress  rolled  out  of  bed,  and  took  her  heavy-heeled  shoe, 
dealing  blows  upon  their  heads  and  shoulders,  and  said: 

"  How  come  you  niggers  till  this  time  o'  day  in  here 
to  build  fires?" 

"Aunt  Winnie  didn't  wake  us." 

"I'll  wake  you  up;  here  almost  daylight,  and  not  a 


C'RUKL    WHIPPING.  221 

fire  built  yet,  when  tbese  four  fires  ought  to  have  been 
built  an  hour  ago.  And  didn't  wake  up,  ha?  I'll  teach 
you  to  wake  up." 

And  so  she  kept  up  the  heavy  blows,  chasing  them 
round  and  round  the  chairs,  and  the  boys  crying,  "  I  will 
get  up  early,  missus ;  I  will  get  up  early,"  till  it  seemed 
to  me  an  unreasonable  punishment. 

Just  as  the  two  fires  were  going,  and  the  little  fellows 
went  to  light  the  other  two,  the  son,  Joe  Shears,  came  in. 

"  What  are  these  niggers  about,  that  these  fires  are  not 
all  going  long  ago?" 

"  O,  they  had  to  sleep  this  mornin';  they  say  Aunt 
Winnie  did  n't  wake  'em." 

"I'll  wake  the  young  devils;  I'll  see  whether  they '11 
sleep  till  broad  daylight.  It 's  their  business  to  have  these 
fires  going  an  hour  ago ;"  and  out  he  went. 

At  breakfast,  I  noticed  Jim,  the  waiter,  was  missing, 
and  Jack  was  not  at  his  wood-chopping  as  usual.  Soon 
after,  as  I  passed  through  the  rear  porch,  I  saw  the  two 
little  boys  hanging,  as  I  supposed,  by  their  wrists,  to  a 
pole  over  the  bay  in  the  barn.  The  door  was  just  opened 
by  Joe  Shears,  to  commence  his  day's  work  of  whipping, 
as  I  soon  heard  the  cries  of  one,  then  the  other,  alternat- 
ing in  stripes  heard  with  their  cries,  by  spells,  until  noon. 
During  this  time  Joe  Shears  was  sitting  before  the  fire, 
playing  cards  and  sipping  his  brandy  between  the  whip- 
pings. Whenever  he  was  out  the  whipping  and  cries 
were  heard. 

At  noon  little  Jim  was  let  down,  very  hoarse  from 
crying,  and  his  eyes  red  and  swollen.  By  his  walk  I  knew 
the  little  fellow  had  suffered  intensely.  But  the  little, 
wood-chopper  was  not  at  his  post.  Soon  after  dinner  the 
lash  was  again  heard,  with  the  hoarse  cry  of  little  Jack; 
and  each  time  Joe  Shears  sat  down  to  his  card-table  I 
looked  for  Jack,  but  after  a  game  or  two  of  cards  he  was 
out  again,  and  the  lasb  and  cries  resumed.  I  became  so 


222  A  WOMAN'S  LIFK-WORK. 

distressed  that  at  four  o'clock  I  took  a  walk  on  the  street, 
ostensibly  to  rest  by  exercise  after  a  day  of  sewing,  but 
really  to  give  vent  to  tears  that  had  been  all  day  pent  up, 
for  all  appearance  of  sympathy  must  here  be  restrained. 
On  my  return  I  heard  the  battling  of  the  paddle,  with  the 
cries  of  poor  Jack,  so  hoarse  that  I  could  hardly  have 
recognized  it  as  a  human  voice  had  I  not  known  Avhat  it 
was.  I  got  no  glimpse  of  the  poor  child  until  the  next 
morning. 

As  the  tailor,  Joseph  Brink,  came  in,  the  sister-in-law  said, 
"  We  ought  to  have  a  lamp  or  candle  lit  before  this  time." 

Said  the  mother,  "  We  do  n't  feel  half  thankful  enough 
for  this  grate-fire.  Just  think,  Joe  Shears  has  been  whip- 
ping those  two  little  boys  all  this  blessed  day,  and  I  should 
think  they  must  be  half  dead  to-night." 

"  What  have  they  done?"  said  Joseph. 

"  I  do  n't  know  ;  do  you,  Mrs.  Smith?" 

"Yes;  you  know  I  slept  in  Mrs.  Shears's  room  last 
night;  and  the  boys  came  in  at  nearly  daylight  with  their 
pan  of  fire  and  kindling,  and  the  mistress  Avanted  to  know 
why  their  fires  were  not  all  built  before,  and  they  said 
Aunt  Winnie  did  n't  wake  them.  And  she  Avhipped  them 
\vith  her  shoe  quite  a  Avhile ;  then  Joe  Shears  came  in,  and 
swore  at  them,  and  said  he  Avould  Avake  them." 

"And  that  AA'as  it?  Only  think,"  said  Mrs.  Springer; 
"  you  knoAV  Aunt  Winnie  AA*as  sick  yesterday.  And  just 
because  they  had  n't  these  fires  all  built  before  daylight 
they  've  had  them  tied  up  in  the  barn  all  day ;  that  COAV- 
hide  Mrs.  Shears  keeps  hung  on  her  door-knob  her  Joe 
has  SAVung  over  those  tAvo  little  niggers  all  day.  I  tell 
you,  if  the  devil  don't  catch  such  people  there's  no  use 
of  having  a  devil." 

Her  son-in-laAV,  in  an  undertone,  said,  "  Be  careful ; 
do  n't  talk  so  loud,  or  it  Avill  make  a  fuss  here." 

"  Well,  I  do  n't  care,  I  am  mad.     I  tell  you,  Joe,  hell 
is  lined  this  very  minute  with  just  such  folks  as  these." 


N£GRO    BOY    KILLED.  223 

"  Well,  I  think  they  are  more  cruel  here  than  they  are 
in  Georgia." 

"  I  've  seen  just  such  work  in  Georgia  and  in  Alabama, 
and  it 's  all  over.  I  tell  you,  there 's  more  in  hell  to-night 
for  treating  niggers  this  way  than  for  all  other  sins  put 
together,  and  I  know  it." 

"Be  careful;  they'll  hear  you,  and  it  will  make 
trouble.  It 's  their  property ;  it 's  none  of  ours." 

"I  don't  care  for  that;  they  are  human  beings,  and 
have  feelings  as  well  as  other  folks.  There  's  that  little 
nigger,  Bob,  they've  hired  of  Dr.  Webb,  down  street; 
they  whip  him  and  pound  him  about,  and  they  '11  kill  him 
some  day.  And  I  think  somebody  ought  to  report  to  Dr. 
Webb  how  they  are  treating  that  young  nigger.  He  is  a 
mighty  nice-looking  boy.  He  is  almost  white,  and  they've 
got  him  all  scarred  up." 

"  Well,  what  of  that?  The  doctor  himself  is  no  better. 
About  three  mouths  ago  his  boy  Tom  was  throwing  wood 
in  his  cellar,  and  he  did  something  he  didn't  like,  and  he 
kicked  him  down  the  cellar,  then  jumped  down  after  him 
and  took  a  billet  of  wood  and  was  pounding  Tom  over  his 
head  when  two  white  men  were  passing  by  and  saw  the 
whole  affair;  and  as  Tom  fell  the  doctor  came  up  out  of 
the  cellar  and  went  down  town  and  reported  his  Tom  had 
a  fit.  But  the  two  men  went  into  the  cellar  after  the 
doctor  left  and  found  him  dead  and  his  skull  broken  in. 
They  reported  what  they  saw  and  had  a  coroner's  inquest 
over  him,  who  found  that  Tom  came  to  his  death  by  too 
severe  punishment.  They  arrested  the  doctor  and  put  him 
in  jail  a  few  days,  when  his  trial  came  off.  The  doctor  was 
fined  five  hundred  dollars,  and  he  paid  it  and  went  free." 

"Yes,  that  is  the  doctor  we've  been  sewing  for,  is  it?" 

"Certainly." 

"I  tell  you,  hell  is  heaped  with  just  such  people." 

She  went  on  in  that  strain   that  reminded  me  of  St. 
Glair's  "cursing  up  hill  and  down"  that  almost  frightened 


224  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

• 

the  New  England  old  maid  of  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  I 
trembled  myself,  expecting  every  moment  that  some  mem- 
ber of  the  family  would  hear  her. 

Two  days  later  was  washing-day,  and  the  cook,  Aunt 
Winnie,  told  her  mistress  she  was  too  sick  to  do  the  very 
large  washing  for  three  boarders  besides  the  family.  I 
heard  the  mistress  cursing  her,  and  telling  her  she  could 
if  she  had  a  mind  to,  and  charged  her  with  being  lazy. 

In  came  her  son  Joe.     "AVhat's  all  this  fuss?" 

"O,  it's  Winnie  says  she's  sick  and  can't  do  the  wash- 
ing this  week." 

"Sick!  I'll  see  how  sick  she  is,"  and  he  took  up  a 
billet  of  stovewood  and  commenced  beating  her  over  her 
head  and  shoulders,  and  swearing  that  he  would  give  her 
something  to  be  sick  for.  Mrs.  Springer  called  my  atten- 
tion to  the  quarrel  of  Mrs.  Shears  with  her  cook  before 
Joe  Shears  came  in.  Then  said  she,  "  Poor  Aunt  Winnie 
will  catch  it  now,  I  '11  warrant.  There,  just  hear  those 
blows;  they  sound  like  beating  the  table;  he'll  kill  her." 
And  table,  stools,  and  tin-pans  or  pails  made  racket  enough 
for  the  whole  kitchen  to  be  falling  down.  The  struggle 
with  a  volley  of  oaths  lasted  a  few  minutes. 

Mrs.  Springer,  up  to  boiling  rage  again,  "Hear  that; 
what  devils  they  are ;  do  n't  you  believe  Aunt  Winnie  will 
die?  Why,  I  can't  hold  still."  In  as  careless  a  manner  as 
I  could  command  I  said,  "We  can  do  no  good  by  saying 
any  thing.  You  know  what  your  son  said  the  other  night." 

"I  know  it;  but  there  isn't  a  particle  of  humanity 
about  them.  I  feel  as  if  I  want  to  pitch  into  the  whole 
Shears  family."  Soon  all  was  quiet. 

"I  believe  Aunt  Winnie  is  dead,  don't  you?" 

"I  think  not." 

"I  am  going  in  there  to  see." 

As  she  got  up  to  go  to  the  kitchen  she  took  the  pitcher 
for  water.  While  she  was  pumping  the  water  near  the 
kitchen-door,  Aunt  Winnie  staggered  to  the  door  trying  to 


AUNT  WINNIE'S  DRESS.  225 

wind  a  cloth  around  her  bleeding  head,  and  one  eye  was 
swollen  shut.  As  she  came  in  and  reported  how  badly 
she  was  bruised  up,  she  wanted  me  to  take  the  pitcher  and 
go  to  the  pump  for  water;  but  I  told  her  I  would  wait  a 
little,  for  they  might  think  we  went  on  purpose  to  see 
AViimie. 

"Poor  thing,  I  know  she  came  to  the  door  on  purpose 
to  let  me  see  her."  And  Mrs.  Springer  could  not  rest 
satisfied  until  I  drew  the  next  pitcher  of  water,  when  the 
poor  woman  reeled  to  the  door  with  her  hand  on  her  head 
and  the  cloth  around  it  saturated  with  blood.  I  could 
not  sleep  a  wink  after  the  day  of  the  unmerciful  whipping 
of  those  two  little  boys.  Again  the  night  after  this  unmer- 
ciful beating  of  this  poor  woman  was  spent  in  weeping, 
and  prayer  to  Him  who  hears  the  cries  of  his  oppressed 
children. 

A  few  days  after  Aunt  Winnie  came  to  Mrs.  Springer 
and  asked  her  if  she  would  cut  and  make  a  green  delaine 
sacque  for  her,  and  cut  a  calico  skirt,  as  she  could  make 
that  in  the  night,  and  charged  her  not  to  let  her  mistress 
see  it  or  let  her  know  she  had  it,  because  her  husband  got 
it  for  her  and  gave  her  seventy-five  cents  to  get  Mrs. 
Springer  to  cut  it;  "for  he  is  going  to  take  me  away 
three  weeks  from  next  Saturday  night,  'cause  the  people 
are  so  hard  here;  he  says  I  shan't  stay  here  any  longer." 
"I  am  so  sorry  for  her,  I  told  her  to  come  in  when  her 
mistress  and  Joe  Shears's  wife  are  away  making  calls,  and  I 
would  take  her  measure  and  cut  and  baste  it :  then  for  her 
to  come  in  after  they  are  all  in  bed  and  I  would  fit  it  and 
make  it  any  time,  keeping  it  under  a  sheet  I've  got  to 
make,  and  in  that  way  I  can  keep  it  out  of  sight ;  and  I 
told  her  you  and  my  daughter  will  say  nothing  about  it. 
Said  Winnie,  'I  knows  that  by  her  face.'  Do  you  know 
how  quick  these  black  people  read  faces?" 

While  she  was  sewing  on  Aunt  Winnie's  sacque,  Joe 
Shears's  wife  came  into  our  room  a  little  while,  and  the 


226  A  WOMAN'S  J.IFE-WORK 

daughter  looked  out  the  back  window,  where  Jack  was 
chopping,  and  said,  "I  don't  think  your  Jack  is  going  to 
live  long." 

"Why?     I'm  sure  he  eats  hearty." 

"He  looks  so  bad  out  of  his  eyes;  I've  noticed  it  a  few 
days  past,  and  I've  noticed  he  sort  o'  staggers  sometimes, 
and  he  don't  walk  natural." 

She  jumped  up  and  looked  at  him  and  hastened  to  her 
mother-in-law's  room. 

"Mother,  Miss  Springer  says  Jack  is  going  to  die." 

"What  makes  her  think  Jack  is  going  to  die?  I  don't 
see  any  thing  ails  Jack;  he  eats  hearty." 

Mfes  Springer  (laughing):  "I  thought  I'd  scare  her 
out.  I  wish  I  could  scare  them  to  death,  so  they  would 
treat  their  niggers  like  human  beings." 

"Well,  you've  got  her  out  of  the  way  long  enough  to 
get  Winnie's  sacque  out  of  sight  before  our  Joe  comes  in, 
for  he's  so  mighty  careful  for  fear  we'll  get  into  trouble; 
1  know  he'd  scold  if  he  knew  it." 

Strange  position  I  was  occupying,  here  among  the  most 
cruel  of  slave-holders.  And  they  were  calling  me  a  super- 
intendent of  the  underground  railroad  at  home;  and  here 
was  the  starting-point  on  our  underground  railway;  but 
a  silent  listener,  and  in  surprise,  I  said,  "Where  can  Aunt 
Winnie  and  her  husband  go?  As  you  say,  he  is  a  slave." 
"I  don't  know,  but  they  do  go  somewhere  out  of  the  way 
of  their  owners,  though  they  keep  up  a  mighty  hunt  for  a 
long  time ;  yet  a  good  many  of  'em  are  never  heard  from ; 
and  I  don't  know  where  in  creation  they  do  go,  and  I 
don't  care,  so  they  get  away  from  these  hyenas  that  have 
no  more  feelings  for  their  niggers  than  a  wild  animal,  nor 
half  as  much.  I  just  wonder  sometimes  that  the  niggers 
do  n't  turn  upon  'em  and  kill  such  devils.  I  know  I  would 
if  I  were  in  their  places."  "Yet  there  are  those  who  treat 
their  servants  kindly,"  I  replied.  I  felt  sometimes  as  if  I 
was  compelled  to  be  indifferent. 


TAKING    A    WALK.  227 

My  friend  passed  the  window  at  which  I  was  engaged 
in  sewing.  After  a  few  moments  I  made  an  excuse  to  rest 
myself  by  taking  a  little  walk,  as  each  of  us  frequently 
did.  I  soon  overtook  this  friend  who  informed  me  that 
Ann  wished  to  see  me  after  her  tea  was  over,  when  she 
would  be  released  for  a  half  hour  to  v/alk  out  on  the 
back  way  with  a  free  mulatto  girl,  who  was  her  intimate 
and  confidential  friend,  and  I  was  to  go  in  a  large  yard  of 
shrubs  and  fruit  trees  where  I  was  to  meet  this  friend  who 
would  call  for  Ann,  with  whom  we  were  to  take  the  pro- 
posed walk.  At  the  appointed  time  and  place  I  met  the 
friend,  who  directed  me  to  stand  in  a  place  out  of  sight  of 
the  street,  or  little  cabin,  the  home  of  her  very  aged  and 
decrepit  parents,  who  were  worn-out  slaves,  and  as  I  under- 
stood were  given  their  freedom.  Their  slave-daughter  was 
permitted  to  step  in  and  do  little  chores  for  them  after  her 
day's  work  was  done. 

While  waiting  in  this  lonely  and  solitary  nook,  three 
large  bloodhounds  came  in  sight.  I  remembered  of  hear- 
ing about  their  being  let  loose  after  sunset,  to  reconnoiter 
the  premises,  and  I  called  to  mind  what  I  had  heard  and 
read  in  history,  that  however  ferocious  an  animal  is,  a  stern 
and  steady  gaze  in  the  eye,  by  a  human  being,  would  dis- 
arm it  of  ferocity,  and  cause  it  to  leave.  This  course  I 
resolved  to  pursue  with  these  three  formidable  enemies, 
that  were  already  assuming  a  threatening  attitude,  vith  a 
low  growl,  showing  their  teeth,  with  hair  on  end — the 
leader  as  large  as  a  yearling  calf,  the  two  following  him 
slightly  smaller.  I  fixed  my  eyes  upon  the  sparkling  eyes 
of  the  leader,  that  came  within  six  feet  and  stopped ;  soon 
the  growl  ceased,  the  lips  dropped  over  the  long  tusks,  the 
hair  smoothed  back,  and  he  quietly  walked  off  with  his 
companions.  Soon  came  the  girl,  all  out  of  breath  :  "  Did 
the  hounds  come  to  you?" 

"They  did." 

"Oh,  dear!  what  did  you  do?" 


228  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"I  stood  perfectly  still,"  I  answered,  "and  looked  in 
the  eyes  of  the  leader,  and  they  soon  became  quiet  and 
walked  away." 

"Oh,  dear,  that  was  the  only  thing  that  saved  your 
life.  If  you  had  stirred  a  particle  they  would  have  torn 
you  in  pieces.  I  was  so  anxious  to  have  Ann  see  you,  I 
forgot  the  hounds  until  I  started  back,  and  I  liked  to  have 
fainted,  for  I  know  they  were  awful.  I  liked  to  have 
screamed  out  '  God  have  mercy  on  that  dear  friend,'  for  I 
was  'most  sure  I  'd  find  you  killed." 

"  Oh,  no,  the  Lord  has  preserved  Hie,  and  I  am  not 
harmed."  She  was  so  badly  frightened  that  it  was  some 
time  before  her  voice  ceased  trembling;  but  He  who  is 
ever  present  with  his  trusting  children  was  there. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  Ann  to  go  North,  but  if 
a  word  of  suspicion  was  heard,  I  told  her  she  must  defer 
going  to  a  future  time ;  that  she  must  go  as  her  brother 
went,  perfectly  independent  of  any  one,  which  she  was 
confident  of  doing;  but  she  wished  to  go  on  the  same  boat 
with  me,  if  no  one  else  was  going  from  their  city.  I 
learned  through  her  friend  that  she  was  overheard  to  ask 
a  friend  of  hers  for  a  shawl  for  a  journey.  I  sent  her 
word  to  abandon  the  idea  of  going  then  at  once ;  that  I 
should  take  the  first  boat  for  home. 

She  did  not  obtain  her  freedom  until  after  her  mother's 
death,  two  or  three  years  later.  I  did  not  regard  the  trip 
lost,  painful  as  it  was.  There  was  on  the  boat  a  sad 
couple,  taken  from  a  number  of  their  children  by  a  young 
beardless  boy,  perhaps  eighteen  or  twenty,  small  and  slen- 
der. I  noticed  them  frequently  in  tears.  They  Avere 
noticed  by  a  few  of  the  passengers,  who  made  remarks 
about  the  sad  faces  of  those  negroes.  Said  one  heartless 
woman,  "Look  at  that  nigger  cryin'.  I  don't  see  what 
she 's  cryin'  about ;  she 's  got  her  young  one  and  man  to 
her  heels."  I  carelessly  watched  for  an  opportunity  to 
speak  with  one  or  both  of  these  children  of  sorrow.  As 


RETURN    FROM    ARKANSAS.  229 

they  sat  on  a  pile  of  cable  on  the  rear  deck  I  caught  the 
opportunity  to  inquire  where  they  were  going. 

"  We  do  n't  know ;  our  young  massa  got  to  frettin',  an' 
ole  massa  gib  us  to  him  and  some  money,  an'  tole  him  to 
go.  We  lef  three  bigger  chillun  behin' ;  never  'spects  to 
see  'em  ag'in ;  I  wish  he  'd  buy  a  plantation  somewhar,  so 
we  could  go  to  work ;  'pears  like  thar  's  no  comfort  for  us 
poor  people,  only  when  we  's  got  work,  an'  stops  studyin' 
so  much." 

As  the  tears  began  to  fall  thick  and  fast,  I  took  them 
by  the  hand  and  told  them  Jesus  was  the  friend  of  the 
poor,  and  he  had  many  followers  who  also  remembered 
them  in  prayer.  And  he  knew  of  their  sorrow,  and  as 
they  went  to  him  he  would  comfort  their  sorrowing  hearts. 
Pointing  to  his  wife,  he  said,  "She  knows  that,  and  I  wish 
I  did."  I  charged  them  to  make  no  mention  of  my  having 
spoken  to  them.  For  while  they  were  slaves,  I  was  not 
free.  This  young  man  with  his  heavy-hearted  couple  left 
our  boat  at  Pine  Bluff. 

Surely  I  had  seen  enough  of  slavery  in  its  own  house- 
hold. Three  weeks  was  long  enough  to  see  and  feel  its 
virus.  I  met  my  old  friends  in  Cincinnati  with  a  glad 
heart,  where  I  could  draw  a  free  breath.  I  could  visit 
them  but  two  days  before  I  was  on  my  way  home,  where 
were  many  glad  hearts  to  listen  in  private  circles  to  my 
experience  in  a  slave  State.  More  than  ever  they  were 
convinced  that  the  cannon  and  sword  would,  at  no  very 
distant  day,  destroy  the  monster. 

Our  institution  was  now  in  its  second  academic  year,  in 
charge  of  Joseph  D.  Millard,  of  Oberlin  College.  The 
stockholders  had  turned  it  over  into  my  hands,  making 
me  sole  proprietor  of  the  institution,  with  all* its  multiform 
cares  and  responsibilities.  I  had  also  frequent  calls  from 
fugitives  in  flight  for  freedom,  whose  claims  were  second 
to  none  other.  But  to  see  prejudice  in  our  students  melt 
away  by  an  acquaintance  with  our  work,  richly  repaid  me 

16 


230  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK, 

for  all  my  day  and  night  toiling  and  cares,  that  seemed 
almost  crushing  at  times.  I  purchased  for  the  young  men's 
hall  a  building  that  was  erected  for  a  water  cure.  That 
project  failed,  and  the  building  that  cost  $2,000  to  erect, 
was  offered  for  three  hundred  dollars  for  my  institution. 
I  moved  it  one  mile,  and  repaired  it  with  fifteen  rooms ;  and 
it  was  well  filled  the  first  year.  This  academic  year  of 
our  usual  three  terms  our  students  numbered  over  two 
hundred,  mostly  of  those  who  had  been  teaching,  or  pre- 
paring themselves  for  teachers,  or  for  a  collegiate  course. 
I  served  as  preceptress,  and  was  closely  confined  in  school 
work.  Realizing  in  a  great  measure  the  importance  of 
molding  the  mind  of  youth  for  usefulness,  these  years  of 
constant  care  passed  pleasantly  with  the  hundreds  of  young 
people  of  our  own  and  adjoining  counties. 

A  colored  man,  with  a  farmer's  bag  swung  over  his 
shoulder,  approached  two  men  at  work  on  the  railroad 
between  Palmyra  and  Adrian,  and  inquired  how  far  it  was 
to  Michigan. 

"You  are  in  Michigan,  you  fool  you,"  was  their  reply. 

"  Then,  will  you  please  tell  me  how  far  it  is  to  Canada?" 

"  You  go  to  Adrian,  about  a  mile  ahead,  and  take  the 
cars,  and  they  '11  take  you  to  Canada  in  two  hours ;  or,  if 
you  have  n't  money  to  go  that  way,  you  can  go  up  that 
road  till  you  come  to  the  Quaker  meeting-house,  and  go 
direct  east  two  miles  to  the  Widow  Haviland's  school,  and 
she  will  tell  you  how  to  go  to  Canada,  and  it  won't  cost 
you  any  thing.  She  is  a  great  friend  to  your  people." 

He  soon  found  me.  I  got  my  supper  out  of  the  way, 
and  my  men  folks  out  again  at  their  work.  I  then  in- 
quired who  directed  him  to  me,  and  he  told  me  "two  men 
six  miles  from  this  school  .said  you  wras  a  frien'  to  my 
people ;  an'  I  thought  if  folks  knew  you  six  miles  off  I 
would  be  safe  to  come  to  you,  'case  I  wants  to  go  to  Can- 
ada right  soon.  I  started  once  before,  and  traveled  three 
nights  by  the  North  star ;  and  as  Indiana  was  a  free  State 


A  FUGITIVE  FROM   KENTUCKY.  231 

I  thought  I  would  stop  and  buy  me  some  bread,  aii'  the 
people  was  mighty  kind,  and  said  I  could  rest  a  week,  and 
they  would  pay  me  for  the  work  I  did,  to  help  me  on  to 
Canada.  But  firs'  I  knew  my  master  come  for  me,  an'  I 
seed  him  pay  them  money — s'j)ose  't  was  reward." 

This  time  he  was  so  cautious  that  he  would  make  a 
friend  of  no  one  until  he  reached  Michigan.  They  had 
always  heard  people  were  friends  to  colored  people  in  this 
State.  He  was  six  Aveeks  from  Kentucky,  and  had  not 
dared  to  make  his  condition  known  to  any  one,  white  or 
black,  until  he  saw  a  colored  man  in  the  yard  at  Dr.  Bailey's, 
of  whom  he  inquired  for  my  house..  I  told  him  that  his 
coat  and  pants  were  too  ragged,  and  that  I  must  repair 
them.  As  he  had  not  a  second  shirt,  I  took  one  of  my 
son's,  and  gave  him  a  couple  of  towels,  soap,  and  a  pail  of 
warm  water,  and  told  him  to  take  off  his  coat  for  me  to  mend, 
while  he  went  up  stairs  to  the  room  over  the  kitchen  to 
change  his  shirt.  He  hesitated  about  taking  off  his  coat, 
until  I  told  him  he  must.  "I  am  not  your  mistress,"  said 
I,  "and  yet  you  must  mind  me."  Tears  started  as  he 
slowly  drew  it  off,  when  the  torn  and  bloody  shirt-sleeves 
revealed  the  long  scars,  and  a  few  unhealed  sores  on  his  arms. 
Said  I:  "Are  these  the  marks  of  the  slave-whip?" 

He  nodded  assent,  while  tears  were  falling. 

"  When  was  this  done?" 

"Two  nights  afore  I  lef." 

' '  What  was  your  offense  ?" 

"  Dis  was  what  I  got  for  runnin'  off;  an'  I  fainted,  an' 
master  dragged  me  in  my  cabin,  and  did  n't  lock  me  in, 
'case  I's  so  weak.  I  reckon  he  thought  I's  safe.  But  I 
got  an  ing'on  to  rub  over  the  bottoms  of  my  shoes  so  dogs 
could  n't  foller  me,  an'  I  got  four  loaves  o'  bread  and  a  big 
piece  o'  boiled  meat,  an'  crawled  into  de  barn  an'  tuck  dis 
bag  an'  buffalo-robe  for  my  bed,  an'  dragged  it  into  de 
woods,  and  tuck  my  bes'  frien',  de  Norf  star,  an'  follered 
clean  to  dis  place." 


232  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  What  did  you  do  for  something  to  eat?" 

"  I  tuck  corn  in  de  fiel'.  When  I  foun'  log  heaps  an' 
brush  burnin'  I  roasted  a  heap  to  las'  a  few  days;  but  I 
was  weak  an'  trimbly  to  start,  an'  kep'  so  all  de  way." 

After  this  little  history  I  made  him  take  off  his  vest, 
which  was  also  very  reluctantly  done.  But  what  a  sight ! 
The  back  of  his  shirt  was  like  one  solid  scab!  I  made  him 
open  his  collar,  and  I  drew  the  shirt  off  from  his  shoul- 
ders ;  and  from  the  appearance  of  the  shoulders  and  back 
it  must  have  been  cut  to  oue  mass  of  raw  flesh  six  weeks 
before,  as  there  were  still  large  unhealed  sores.  I  told  him 
he  must  sit  here  until  I  called  in  my  son  and  son-in-law 
to  see  it.  As  they  looked  upon  that  man's  back  and  arms, 
and  walked  arouud  him,  said  Levi  Camburu,  my  son-in-law: 

"  Mother,  I  would  shoot  the  villain  that  did  that  as 
quick  as  I  could  get  sight  at  him." 

"But,  Levi,"  I  replied,  "he  is  not  fit  to  die." 

"  No,  and  he  never  will  be ;  and  the  quicker  he  goes 
to  the  place  where  he  belongs  the  better.  Indeed,  I  would 
shoot  him  as  quick  as  I  would  a  squirrel  if  I  could  see  him." 

Joseph,  my  son,  responded  : 

"  I  think  Levi  is  about  right,  mother;  the  quicker  such 
a  demon  is  out  of  the  world  the  better." 

"  I  know  this  is  a  sad  sight  for  us  to  look  upon ;  but  I 
did  not  call  you  in  to  set  you  to  fighting." 

Many  of  my  friends,  and  my  son-in-law  Levi,  had 
thought  me  rather  severe,  in  judging  the  mass  of  slave- 
holders by  the  few  unprincipled  men  who  had  fallen  under 
my  special  notice ;  but  I  never  heard  of  any  remark  what- 
ever from  my  son-in-law  or  neighbors,  after  this  incident, 
that  charged  me  with  being  too  severe  in  judging  slave- 
holders. I  furnished  the  poor  man  with  healing  salve,  and 
tried  to  persuade  him  to  rest  a  few  days  until  he  would  be 
able  to  work ;  but  no,  he  must  see  Canada  before  he  could 
feel  safe.  He  was  very  loath  to  sleep  in  any  bed,  and 
urged  me  to  allow  him  to  lie  on  the  floor  in  the  kitchen, 


FUGITIVE   FROM   LOUISIANA. 

but  I  insisted  on  his  occupying  the  bed  over  the  kitchen. 
I  gave  him  a  note  of  introduction  to  the  next  station  agent, 
with  a  little  change ;  and  a  few  weeks  after  I  heard  from 
my  friend,  whose  name  was  George  Wilson.  The  reporter 
said:  "The  first  two  weeks  he  seemed  to  have  no  energy 
for  any  thing.  But  then  he  went  to  work,  and  quite  dis- 
appointed us.  He  is  getting  to  be  one  of  the  best  hands 
to  hire  in  Windsor." 

This  was  the  second  fugitive  from  slavery  who  slept  in 
my  home — mine  being  the  first  house  they  had  dared  to 
sleep  in  since  leaving  their  old  home.  A  few  days  later 
another  fugitive  came  from  Louisiana.  He  was  a  black- 
smith. I  wrote  to  a  wealthy  farmer  in  Napoleon,  Michi- 
gan, to  learn  whether  he  could  not  furnish  business  for  one 
or  the  other  of  two  new  arrivals  from  slavery.  To  show 
the  feelings  of  thousands  of  our  citizens  at  this  date,  I  will 
extract  a  portion  of  his  letter : 

"There  are  constantly  in  our  moral  horizon  threaten- 
ings  of  strife,  discontent,  and  outbreaks  between  liberty 
and  slavery.  The  martyrdom  of  John  Brown  only  whets 
the  appetite  of  the  monster  for  greater  sacrifice  of  life. 
The  continued  imprisonment  of  Calvin  Fairbanks  and 
others  are  not  satisfying  portions.  I  read  your  letter  to 
our  Arkansas  friend,  and  we  are  glad  to  learn  that  another 
has  escaped  from  the  land  of  bondage,  whips,  and  chains. 
In  view  of  the  wrongs  and  cruelty  of  slavery,  how  truly 
may  it  be  said : 

'There  is  no  flesh  in  man's  obdurate  heart; 
It  does  not  feel  for  man.' 

"The  natural  bond  of  brotherhood  is  severed  as  flax 
that  falls  asunder  at  the  touch  of  fire.  Let  the  lot  of  bit- 
ter poverty  be  mine,  and  the  hand  of  man  blight  every 
hope  of  earthly  enjoyment,  and  I  would  prefer  it  to  the 
condition  of  any  man  who  lives  at  ease,  and  shares  in 
every  fancied  pleasure,  that  the  toil,  the  sweat,  and  blood 


234  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  slaves  can  procure.  Alas  for  the  tyrant  slave-holder 
when  God  shall  make  his  award  to  his  poor,  oppressed, 
and  despised  children,  and  to  those  who  seek  a  transient 
and  yet  delusive  means  of  present  happiness  by  trampling 
his  fellow  and  brother  in  the  dust,  and  appropriating  the 
soul  and  body  of  his  own  crushed  victim  to  the  gratifica- 
tion of  his  depraved  appetites  and  passions.  I  would 
rather  enter  the  gloomy  cell  of  your  friend  Fairbanks,  and 
spend  every  hour  of  this  brief  existence  in  all  the  bitter- 
ness that  the  hand  of  tyrants  can  inflict,  than  live  in  all 
pomp  and  splendor  that  the  unpaid  toil  of  slaves  could 
lavish  upon  man.  Yours,  etc., 

-July  27th,  1860.  K  R  ^XFORD." 

Our  blacksmith,  whom  we  called  Charles  Williams, 
proved  to  be  an  honest  and  industrious  man. 

We  solicited  over  seventy  dollars  for  a  poor  woman  by 
the  name  of  Jackson,  from  Marseilles,  Kentucky,  who  had 
bought  herself  by  washing  and  ironing  of  nights,  after  her 
mistress's  work  was  done.  During  seven  long  years  she' 
did  not  allow  herself  to  undress  except  to  change.  Her 
sleep  was  little  naps  over  her  ironing  board.  Seven  years 
of  night  work  brought  the  money  that  procured  her  free- 
dom. She  had  a  son  and  daughter  nearly  grown,  and  to  pur- 
chase their  freedom  she  was  now  bending  her  day  and  night 
energies.  Her  first  object  was  to  purchase  the  son,  as  his 
wages  would  aid  her  to  accumulate  more  readily  the  amount 
required  for  the  daughter,  as  she  had  the  promise  of  both 
of  her  children.  But  her  economizing  to  purchase  the  sou 
first  for  the  sake  of  his  help  failed,  as  the  master's  iudebt- 
ness  compelled  him  to  sell  one  of  them,  and  market  was 
found  for  the  girl  of  sixteen.  Nine  hundred  dollars  was 
offered,  and  the  distressed  mother  had  but  four  hundred 
dollars  to  pay. 

She  had  trusted  in  her  Lord  and  Savior  in  all  these 
years  of  toiling,  and  now  must  she  see  that  daughter  sold 


REDEEMING    A    SLAVE    DAUGHTER.  235 

down  the  river?  In  her  distress  she  went  from  house  to 
house,  to  plead  for  a  buyer  who  would  advance  the  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  take  a  mortgage  on  her  until  she 
could  make  it.  At  length  she  found  a  Baptist  deacon  who 
purchased  her  daughter,  and  she  paid  him  the  four  hun- 
dred dollars.  He  was  to  keep  her  until  the  mortgage  was 
redeemed  by  the  mother,  who  was  compelled  to  abandon 
her  first  project,  and  bend  her  energies  toward  making  the 
five  hundred  dollars.  After  working  very  hard  one  year, 
she  was  able  to  pay  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  to 
ward  the  mortgage,  when  her  health  began  to  fail.  The 
deacon  told  her  the  money  was  coming  too  slowly,  and 
that  he  could  not  wait  longer  than  another  year,  before  he 
would  have  to  sell  her  to  get  his  money  back.  "  Weeping 
and  prayer  was  my  meat  and  drink  day  and  night.  Oh! 
must  I  see  my  poor  chile'  go  after  all  my  hope  to  save 
her?"  A  merchant  in  that  town  by  whom  she  had  been 
employed,  told  her  he  would  give  her  a  little  secret  advice, 
which  was,  to  go  to  Louisville  as  she  had  done  before,  but 
not  to  stop  there,  but  to  go  on  to  Cincinnati,  and  he  would 
give  her  a  good  recommendation  to  his  brother,  Mr. 
Ketcham,  who  was  a  merchant  and  knew  the  abolitionists. 
They  would  aid  her  in  raising  the  three  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars ;  but  she  must  not  let  it  be  known  that  he  had  ad- 
vised her,  or  that  she  was  going  North.  Mr.  Ketcham 
introduced  her  to  Levi  Coffin  and  lawyer  John  Jolliffe,  who 
gave  her  letters  of  introduction  to  friends  at  Oberlin,  and 
other  places,  and  by  the  time  she  was  sent  to  me  she  had 
over  two  hundred  dollars  toward  the  release  of  the  mort- 
gage on  the  daughter.  As  her  health  was  poor  from  con- 
stant overwork  and  troubles  incident  to  slave  life,  to  give 
her  rest  I  took  her  papers,  and  while  calling  on  the  friends 
of  humanity,  did  not  slight  some  of  my  Democratic  friends, 
some  of  whom  had  some  years  previously  told  me  if  I 
would  go  to  work  and  purchase  the  slaves  they  would  aid  me. 
Consequently  I  called  on  one  who  was  living  in  splen- 


236  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

dor  within  his  massive  pile  of  brick,  and  reminded  him  of 
the  promise  he  made  me  on  a  certain  occasion.  Now  was 
his  opportunity,  as  I  was  assisting  a  mother  to  purchase 
her  daughter.  I  gave  him  the  line  through  which  I  had 
received  the  best  of  indorsements  as  to  her  industrious  and 
honest  Christian  character,  and  what  the  friends  had  done 
for  her  upon  whom  I  had  called,  and  but  for  her  poor 
health  would  have  brought  her  with  me.  After  listening 
attentively  to  all  my  statements,  he  arose  from  his  chair, 
walked  nervously  to  and  fro  across  his  room,  as  if  striving 
to  his  utmost  to  brace  against  sympathy,  and  said,  "  Mrs. 
Haviland,  I'll  not  give  a  penny  to  any  one  who  will  steal 
slaves ;  for  you  might  just  as  well  come  to  my  barn  and 
steal  my  horse  or  wheat  as  to  help  slaves  to  Canada,  out 
of  the  reach  of  their  owners." 

"  Did  I  do  right,"  I  asked,  "  in  rescuing  that  Hamilton 
family  from  the  grasp  of  those  Tennessee  slave-holders?" 

"  If  I  had  taken  a  family  under  my  wing,  of  course,  I 
should  calculate  to  protect  them." 

' '  That  is  not  the  answer  I  call  for.  I  want  from  you 
a  direct  reply;  did  I  do  right,  or  wrong,  in  that  case? 
You  remember  all  the  circumstances." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  remember  it  well,  and  as  I  tell  you,  if  I 
had  undertaken  to  protect  a  family  I  should  do  it." 

"  I  shall  accept  no  prevarication  whatever,"  said  I;  "I 
demand  a  square  answer,  and  it  is  your  duty  to  give  it ; 
did  I  do  right  or  wrong  in  that  case?" 

He  drew  out  his  pocket-book,  and  emptied  it  in  my 
lap.  "  There  is  hardly  a  dollar,  and  if  I  had  more  you 
should  have  it ;  of  course  you  are  right,  and  every  sane 
man  or  woman  knows  it;  but  my  political  relations  are 
such  I  wish  you  would  n't  say  anything  about  it." 

It  is  no  new  thing  for  politics  to  stand  in  the  way  of 
humanity.  A  few  weeks  later  the  glad  mother  returned 
and  redeemed  her  daughter.  I  saw  them  together  at  Levi 
Coffin's,  in  Cincinnati,  happy  in  their  freedom. 


COLLECTING    MONEY.  237 

Another  woman  was  directed  to  me  by  William  King, 
who,  with  Rev.  C.  C.  Foote,  had  founded  a  colony  a  few 
miles  from  Chatham,  Ontario,  for  fugitives  from  slavery. 
She  managed  to  escape  with  seven  children,  and  her  hus- 
band's master  offered  him  to  her  for  six  hundred  dollars, 
two  hundred  dollars  less  than  the  market  price.  I  went 
with  her  a  few  days,  and  received  from  the  friends  one 
hundred  and  thirteen  dollars.  Then  the  sight  of  one  whom 
she  recognized  hastened  her  back  to  Canada,  a  proceeding 
which  probably  saved  us  the  fate  of  the  Oberliu  or  Well- 
ington rescuers,  who  spent  a  few  weeks  in  jail.  A  year 
after  we  heard  the  husband  and  father  was  with  his  family 
in  Canada. 

A  few  weeks  elapsed  when  another  woman  from  Cincin- 
nati learned  that  her  husband  could  be  bought  for  a  low 
figure  because  of  a  rheumatic  difficulty.  She  had  been 
freed  three  years  previously,  and  by  industry  had  accumu- 
lated three  hundred  dollars.  She  came  well  recommended 
by  Levi  Coffin  and  others.  While  making  calls  in  her 
behalf  in  a  store  owned  by  a  Democratic  friend,  upon  pre- 
senting her  claim  to  the  proprietor  and  a  few  bystanders, 
a  gentleman  stepped  into  the  door  with,  "I  see  you  come 
to  Democrats  for  aid." 

"  She   knows  her  best  friends,"  said  our  merchant. 

"I  slight  no  one,"  I  auswered.  "I  call  upon  my 
acquaintances  regardless  of  politics. 

"I  will  give  yon  five  dollars  for  every  one  you'll  get 
from  an  abolitionist  in  this  place,"  said  the  sparkling, 
black-eyed  stranger. 

At  this  quite  a  shout  arose  in  the  store. 

"That  speaks  well  for  your  abolition  friends,"  was  the 
ironical  retort  of  another  bystander. 

"Who  is  that  gentleman?"  I  inquired. 

"Mr.  Lyons,  the  banker  on  Main  Street,"  was  the  reply. 

"All  right,"  I  said,  "I  shall  remember  him."  I  stepped 
into  Edwin  Comstock's  and  mentioned  this  proposition. 


238  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

"Very  well;  I  will  give  five  dollars  for  the  sake  of 
twenty-five  dollars  from  Mr.  Lyons,"  and  I  placed  that  in 
ray  book.  I  next  met  Stephen  Allen  on  the  street  and 
told  him  Mr.  Lyons's  pledge. 

"All  right,"  he  said;  "I  will  give  four  dollars,  and  that 
takes  all  I  have  in  my  purse  to-day ;  but  I  am  glad  to  give 
it  for  the  twenty  dollars  we  are  to  get  from  Mr.  Lyons." 
I  called  upon  Anson  Backus  with  my  report  and  he  said: 

"Here  is  five  dollars  for  the  twenty-five  from  Mr. 
Lyons."  I  then  stepped  into  the  Lyous's  bank.  "  This,  I 
believe,  is  Mr.  Lyons,  the  proprietor,  who  pledged  a  few 
minutes  ago  five  dollars  for  every  one  dollar  I  would  get 
from  an  abolitionist  in  this  place.''  His  face  flushed  in 
reading  the  names  with  the  fives  and  four  dollar  bills  in  the 
book  I  handed  him. 

"There  is  no  abolitionist's  name  here." 

"Isn't  Edwin  Cornstock  an  abolitionist?" 

"No,  he  isn't." 

"Isn't  Stephen  Allen  an  abolitionist?" 

"No,  he  isn't." 

"Isn't  Anson  Backus  an  abolitionist?" 

"No,  he  isn't." 

"Then  I  ask  you  to  define  an  abolitionist,  for  I  call 
these  men  as  radical  abolitionists  as  we  have  in  our 
country." 

"Well,  they  are  not." 

"Please  define  them  that  I  may  know  who  they  are." 

"They  are  those  who  go  down  South  and  steal  slaves 
away  from  their  owners  and  report  that  they  whip  men 
and  women  and  sell  husbands  and  wives  apart,  and  sep- 
arate children  from  their  mothers,  and  all  that  sort  of 
thing,  when  it's  all  an  arrant  black-hearted  lie." 

"  Mr.  Lyons,  you  know  all  these  flat  denials  are  sub- 
stantial truths.  As  you  say  you  have  lived  in  the  South, 
you  know  in  your  own  heart  that  men  and  women  are 
cruelly  whipped,  and  that  families  are  separated,  and  these 


ABOLITIONISTS.  239 

< 

cases  of  cruelty  are  neither  few  nor  far  between.  I  will 
tell  you  what  I  have  done  for  a  woman  who  was  a  slave  in 
Kentucky  when  she  came  to  me  for  advice  in  Cincinnati, 
as  she  had  a  daughter  to  be  sold,  and  her  mistress  was 
going  to  sell  the  whole  family  down  the  river.  She  was 
permitted  to  do  her  mistress's  marketing  in  Cincinnati 
because  she  had  confidence  that  she  would  not  leave  her 
family.  I  advised  her  to  put  her  husband  and  children  in 
that  market-wagon  and  cover  them  with  hay  and  bring 
them  to  a  certain  place  I  designated,  and  she  would  be 
aided  in  her  flight  to  Canada.  She  took  the  plan  I  sug- 
gested, and  her  whole  remaining  family,  nine  in  number, 
found  themselves  free  iu  Canada.  Was  that  the  work  of 
an  abolitionist?" 

"No,  it  isn't." 

"Then  1  know  not  where  to  find  one,  for  I  see  I  too  am 
out  of  the  catalogue." 

While  this  conversation  was  in  progress  he  took  three 
dollars  from  his  desk  and  handed  it  to  me;  but  as  much  as 
ever,  I  stopped  to  thank  him,  and  told  him  the  worst  wish 
I  had  for  him  was  that  he  would  repent  of  his  wicked 
position  before  the  hour  of  death  overtook  him,  and  that  he 
might  find  peace  and  pardon  for  these  Satanic  assertions  he 
had  made.  He  sat  quietly  listening  while  I  gave  out  my 
indignation  without  stint.  "Hand  me  back  that  three  dol- 
lars," and  it  was  as  freely  returned  as  I  received  it.  He 
put  it  back  in  his  drawer,  took  out  five  dollars  and  handed 
it  to  me,  and  hardly  took  time  to  nod  "I  thank  you"  for 
finishing  my  speech,  which  was  not  in  the  least  interrupted, 
even  with  the  increased  subscription. 

Poor  man,  I  pitied  him,  for  it  was  more  than  a  year 
before  I  could  get  another  opportunity  to  speak  to  him. 
His  clerk  left  the  bank  as  soon  as  he  commenced  his  tirade. 
Although  it  is  unpleasant  to  meat  with  such  spirits,  yet  I 
never  flee  from  them.  If  my  cause  is  owned  by  the  author 
of  the  Higher  Law,  none  of  these  things  move  me.  A  few 


240  A  WOMAN'S  LIFK-WOHK. 

I 

months  after  this  we  received  a  letter  from  Mintie  Berry, 
the  anxious  wife,  for  whom  we  succeeded  in  raising  enough 
to  reunite  the  long  separated  couple,  saying  that  their 
happy  reunion  was  the  result  of  favors  from  their  many 
friends,  to  whom  they  returned  grateful  thanks,  while  they 
praised  the  Lord  for  the  blessing. 

I  received  a  letter,  July  4,  1859,  from  poor  Calvin 
Fairbanks.  Eight  long  years  of  the  fifteen  he  had  suffered 
in  a  Kentucky  penitentiary.  How  sad  are  these  lines,  con- 
taining some  of  his  prison  reflections !  He  says : 

"  Speak  kindly,  ye  muses,  my  spirit  inspire, 
Breathe  softly  and  sweetly,  sweep  gently  my  lyre ; 
There 's  gloom  in  my  harp-string's  low  murmuring  tone, 
Speak  kindly,  speak  gently,  to  me  here  alone. 

My  spirit  all  broken — no  soul-cheering  ray 
To  warm  and  illumine  my  cold  dreary  way, 
No  kind  and  beloved  ones  of  days  that  are  gone — 
There 's  no  one  to  cheer  me,  I  'm  alone,  all  alone. 

From  friends  fondly  cherished  I  'm  severed  away, 
From  the  hills  where  I  laughed  at  the  bright  early  day; 
And  the  morning  of  life  like  an  arrow  is  gone^ 
Like  a  shadow,  a  moment,  and  here  I  'm  alone. 

The  guardians  of  childhood,  like  the  bright  early  flower, 
Have  blossomed  with  fragrance,  and  are  lost  in  an  hour ; 
And  the  cycle  that  brought  them  has  eddied  and  gone, 
And  left  me  behind  them,  alone,  all  alone. 

How  solemn  and  dreary,  how  somber  with  gloom, 
Are  my  lonely  reflections,  of  the  cold  silent  tomb, 
The  abode  of  a  father  once  fearless  and  bold, 
Of  a  sister  once  lovely,  now  silent  and  cold ; 

Of  a  mother  lamenting  her  lost,  lonely  son, 
Awaiting  awhile,  but  a  day  to  be  gone, 
And  to  mingle  with  spirits  of  blest  early  love, 
And  to  rest  in  the  bosom  of  Jesus  above. 

The  thought  of  these  loved  ones,  now  silent  for  aye, 
Or  lingering  and  trembling,  and  passing  away. 
Breathes  sadness  on  nature,  most  cheerful  and  gay, 
And  traces  these  numbers — we  're  passing  away. 


DEATH  OF  OUR  PRINCIPAL.  241 

But  cease  my  complaining,  we  '11  soon  be  at  peace, 
We  '11  rest  from  our  labors,  forever  at  ease ; 
There 's  rest  for  the  weary  and  joy  for  our  gloom, 
For  God  is  our  refuge,  in  heaven  our  home. 

Yes,  earth  with  her  pleasures,  and  all  that  we  love, 
We  shall  leave  for  the  land  of  bright  spirits  above ; 
No  blasting  nor  mildew,  nor  soul-blighting  care, 
No  sorrow,  no  dying,  no  sin  shall  reign  there." 

The  year  1861  opened  full  of  excitement.  Both  North 
and  South  assumed  threatening  attitudes.  Raisin  Institute 
was  affected  by  it;  yet  the  work  of  the  Lord  prospered 
with  us.  Within  three  weeks  fourteen  of  our  students 
experienced  the  new  spiritual  life.  But  soon  our  ranks 
were  broken.  The  seventy-five  thousand  men  in  arms 
called  for  at  the  first  by  President  Lincoln  were  not  suffi- 
cient to  suppress  the  slave-holders'  rebellion.  Seventeen 
of  our  students  enlisted  for  the  bloody  conflicts  of  civil  war. 

Our  principal,  F.  M.  Olcott,  had  purchased  my  insti- 
tution, and  I  looked  forward  to  a  happy  release  of  the 
$15,000  indebtedness  that  was  resting  over  Raisin  Insti- 
tute. The  room-rent  was  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  interest 
and  other  incidental  expenses,  and  the  tuition  fees  were 
required  to  pay  the  teachers.  This  indebtedness  rested 
upon  my  shoulders.  But  for  the  salutary  influence  it  ex- 
erted in  molding  the  characters  of  our  youth,  I  should 
have  failed. 

The  declining  health  of  our  dear  brother  F.  M.  Olcott 
brought  increasing  darkness  over  our  future  prospects,  and 
the  memorable  battle  of  Bull  Run  increased  the  shock  that 
startled  the  liberty  lovers  of  our  nation  at  the  firing  upon 
Fort  Sumter.  The  cloud  that  hung  over  our  nation  also 
overshadowed  our  beloved  institution.  We  closed  this 
year  with  sad  forebodings.  Our  beloved  principal  was  fast 
hastening  to  his  reward.  He  suggested  a  friend  of  his  to 
fill  his  position  the  ensuing  year,  and  died  of  consumption 
within  six  weeks  of  our  vacation.  He  was  a  noble  Chris- 


242  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

tian  man,  and  had  endeared  himself  to  all  who  enjoyed 
the  privilege  of  his  acquaintance.  His  loss  was  severely 
felt  by  his  students,  who  enjoyed  his  faithful  teaching,  and 
especially  by  myself,  as  I  had  indulged  the  fond  hope  that 
he  would  become  the  efficient  permanent  principal. 

The  following  year  the  institute  opened  with  as  fair 
prospects  as  could  be  expected,  in  charge  of  Edward  A. 
Haight.  Until  the  third  year  of  the  war  our  school  was 
continued  in  successful  oj>eratiou.  But  during  the  last 
term  of  1863-4,  when  the  war  had  taken  seventeen  of  our 
noble  young  men  into  the  field,  and  the  condition  of  our 
soldiers,  daily  reported  as  suffering  and  dying  in  camp  and 
hospital,  called  for  tender  nursing,  I  offered  myself  for 
that  work. 

Leaving  an  excellent  young  woman  as  preceptress  in 
my  stead,  I  gathered  from  eighteen  hundred  to  two  thousand 
garments  for  freedmen,  and  hospital  supplies  for  soldiers, 
and  with  papers  from  Austin  Blair,  governor  of  our  State, 
from  F.  C.  Beaman,  member  of  Congress,  and  from  others, 
I  left  my  sweet  home  and  the  loved  ones  who  still  clustered 
around  it.  On  my  way  to  the  depot  I  was  met  by  Rev. 
P.  Powell,  who  inquired  how  much  money  I  had.  "  Fif- 
teen dollars,"  was  my  answer. 

"  Why,  Mother  Haviland,"  he  exclaimed,  "  you  can 
never  go  with  only  that.  Stop  a  day  or  two,  and  I  '11  get 
up  eighty  or  a  hundred  dollars  for  you." 

"  But  I  have  arranged  for  all  my  supplies  to  go  on  to- 
day. There  are  three  or  four  boxes  waiting  for  me  at 
Hillsdale,  and  I  wrote  them  I  would  be  there  to-night.  I 
have  not  asked  for  money,  but  for  supplies.  I  have  a  free 
pass  to  Chicago  and  return,  and  if  I  can  get  a  pass  free 
to  Cairo  and  return,  I  think  I  can  get  along,  and  perhaps 
lives  may  be  in  peril  in  the  twenty-four  hours  I  might  be 
waiting  here  for  money." 

"  Will  you  telegraph  me  if  you  do  not  succeed  in  get- 
ting the  passes  in  Chicago?" 


FREE    PASS   TO   CAIRO.  243 

"I  will,"  I  said,  and  went  forward. 

As  I  was  taking  leave  of  my  son  Joseph,  and  was 
about  to  enter  the  car,  he  held  me  by  the  hand,  and  said: 
"One  promise  I  want  you  to  make  me,  and  make  it  so 
strong  that  your  conscience  will  come  in  for  a  share ;  and 
that  is,  that  you  will  stop,  once  in  a  while,  to  think  whether 
you  are  tired  or  not.  You  are  going  among  the  suffering 
and  dying,  and  I  know  you  so  well  that  you  will  go  and 
go  and  do  and  do,  until  you  will  drop  before  you  will 
think  of  yourself.  If  you  will  make  me  this  promise  I  will 
feel  a  great  deal  better  about  you." 

"Joseph,"  I  said,  "I  will  promise  to  do  this,"  and  we 
parted. 

On  visiting  the  sanitary  rooms  in  Chicago  I  met  Mrs. 
Hague,  Mrs.  Livermore,  and  others,  who  thought  it  very 
doubtful  whether  I  could  secure  a  fare  free  to  Cairo,  as 
President  Arthur  had  shut  down  the  gate  on  free,  or  even 
half-fare,  passes.  He  had  told  them  that  associations  might 
pay  their  agents  enough  to  pay  their  fare.  But  I  was 
under  the  auspices  of  no  association.  I  was  only  a  self- 
constituted  agent,  and  I  must  try.  Leaning  on  the  arm 
of  my  guide,  I  went  to  President  Arthur,  and  introduced 
myself  by  handing  him  my  papers.  On  reading  them  he 
asked,  rather  sharply,  "What  do  you  want?" 

"  I  am  hoping  to  obtain  a  free  pass  to  Cairo  and  re- 
turn," I  replied,  "and  free  transportation  for  the  supplies 
referred  to  in  those  papers." 

"  Are  you  alone,  madam  ?" 

"  I  am  alone." 

"  Well,  I  think  this  is  a  heavy  responsibility  for  a  lady 
of  your  age.  Are  you  aware  of  the  responsibility  you 
assume  in  this?"  holding  the  paper  up. 

"I  think  I  am  aware  of  the  responsibility.  I  do  not 
know  but  the  experience  of  age,  however,  may  somewhat 
make  up  for  the  strength  of  youth." 

"  Well,  I  guess  it  Avill." 


244  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Settling  himself  back  in  his  easy  arm  chair,  he  said 
again,  "  How  long  a  time  do  you  want  it  for?" 

"  I  can  not  answer  intelligently,"  I  said  ;  "I  may  wish 
to  return  for  more  supplies,  within  two  or  three  months, 
and  I  can  not  say  how  long  it  will  take  to  disburse  these 
supplies  judiciously." 

"  Very  well,"  and  he  took  my  papers  to  his  chief  clerk, 
and  soon  brought  me  back  passes,  saying,  "  There  are  your 
passes,  and  they  '11  bring  you  back  any  time  this  year. " 
He  gave  me  also  an  order  for  free  transportation.  I  left  his 
office  praising  God  for  another  victory. 

I  was  met  in  the  door  of  the  sanitary  rooms  with  "Did 
you  succeed  in  getting  a  half-fare  pass  ? " 

"A  free  pass  to  Cairo  and  return,"  I  said,  "and  free 
transportation  for  all  my  supplies  from  President  Arthur." 

The  clerk  clapped  his  hands,  cheering:  "You  are  a 
favored  one ;  not  one  of  us  would  have  got  that  favor." 

Not  till  then  did  they  know  of  my  leaving  home  with 
only  fifteen  dollars ;  yet  it  was  sufficient. 

A  few  hours  more  landed  me  in  Cairo,  where  the  wharf 
was  lined  with  cannon,  and  piles  of  shells  and  balls.  My 
first  work  was  to  find  a  soldiers'  home,  and  visit  hospitals. 
Oh,  what  scenes  at  once  were  presented  to  my  view !  Here 
were  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying  soldiers.  Some 
were  praying — a  few  were  swearing ;  and  yet  even  these 
would  patiently  listen  to  reading  the  promises  of  Jesus  and 
his  loving  invitations,  and  become  calm. 


HOSPITAL   WORK.  245 


CHAPTER  X. 

HOSPITAL  WORK. 

OUR  last  chapter  left  us  in  hospital  work  at  Cairo.  A 
portion  of  the  freedmen's  camp  of  three  thousand  the  offi- 
cers proposed  to  remove  to  Island  No.  10,  and  wished  me 
to  take  most  of  my  supplies  to  that  place.  While  waiting 
for  their  arrival  I  visited  the  United  States  Hospital  at 
Mound  City,  a  few  miles  up  the  Ohio  River.  Here,  too, 
were  dying  soldiers,  one  of  whom  especially  attracted  my 
attention,  as  he  was  perfectly  sane  and  rather  unusually 
intelligent.  I  immediately  addressed  him:  "My  sou,  are 
you  prepared  to  go  hence?" 

"  Mother,"  he  said,  "  that  is  a  matter  which  I  ought  to 
have  attended  to  long  ago,  but  I  did  not,  and  now  it  is 
too  late!  I  am  dying." 

"Oh,  do  not  say  too  late!  Remember  the  condition  is, 
'  Believe  and  thou  shall  be  saved;'  '  As  thou  hast  believed,  so 
shall  it  be  unto  thee.'  These  are  the  sure  promises  of  our 
merciful  Redeemer.  Remember  the  thief  on  the  cross 
looked  at  him  with  repenting  spirit  and  living  faith,  and 
said,  '  Lord,  remember  me  when  thou  comest  into  thy 
kingdom ; '  and  the  quick  reply  was,  '  This  day  thou  shalt 
be  with  me  in  Paradise.'  Can  you  not  trust  such  a  Re- 
deemer?— such  a  loving  Father  as  is  our  God,  who  saves 
to  the  uttermost  all  who  ask  with  believing  hearts?"  He 
firmly  held  my  hand  and  said,  "I  will  try." 

Our  prayers  were  mingled  in  asking  for  the  enlighten- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  while  he  was  asking  for  the 
forgiveness  of  all  his  sins,  that  he  might  receive  an  evidence 
of  acceptance,  he  seemed  encouraged  aud  gave  me  the 

17 


246  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

names  and  address  of  his  parents,  for  me  to  write  them  of 
his  hope,  in  departing,  of  a  better  future. 

There  was  also  great  suffering  in  the  camp  of  freedmen. 
The  officers  wished  me  to  aid  them  in  persuading  thes 
people  to  go  dowii  to  the  island,  as  they  were  afraid  of 
being  returned  to  slavery  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
desired  to  push  as  far  into  the  free  States  as  possible,  and 
very  loath  to  go  back  "an  inch,"  as  one  of  the  officers 
expressed  it.  I  took  the  names  of  these  almost  nude  peo- 
ple, whom  I  instructed  to  come  to  my  tent;  as  the  officers 
said  I  should  have  one  for  the  purpose  of  giving  out  cloth- 
ing to  the  most  needy  among  them.  They  assured  them 
that  their  freedom  was  a  fixed  fact ;  that  they  would  never 
see  the  day  again  when  they  would  be  separated  by  being 
sold  apart.  This,  I  found,  was  a  greater  inducement  for 
them  to  consent  to  the  request  of  the  officers  to  go  to  the 
island  than  all  the  clothing  I  could  promise. 

But  one  poor  woman  came  to  the  captain  weeping,  say- 
ing, "  My  poor  baby  is  dyin',  an'  I  can't  leave  him.  He  is 
my  only  chile  left  me."  In  the  great  hurry  and  bustle  of 
business  the  quick  reply  was,  "Go  back  and  I'll  see  to  it." 
As  she  left  the  office  he  turned  to  me  and  said,  "I  don't 
know  whether  it  is  so  or  not;  they  get  up  all  sorts  of 
excuses."  As  she  was  not  yet  out  of  sight,  I  followed  her 
to  the  slab  hut  and  found  it  true.  An  hour  later  and  the 
baby  of  eight  years  was  in  the  spirit  world. 

"Now,  missus,  I  can't  go  an'  leave  my  dead  baby  for 
de  wharf -rats  to  eat,  an'  de  boat  goes  out  at  three 
o'clock." 

I  reported  the  death  of  the  child  and  of  the  distress  of 
the  mother.  "Tell  her,"  said  the  officer,  "  we  will  see  that 
her  child  is  buried  this  afternoon,  and  I  want  her  to  go  on 
this  boat."  I  told  the  mother  of  the  captain's  wish,  and 
that  I  would  see  that  her  child  was  buried. 

"Oh,  missus,  it  'pears  like  I  can't  leave  him  so;  they'll 
leave  him  here  to-night,  an'  dese  wharf-rats  are  awful.  Da 


DEATH   OF   A    CHILD.  247 

eat  one  dead  chile's  face  all  one  side  off,  an'  one  of  its  feet 
was  all  gnawed  off.  I  do  n't  want  to  leave  my  chile  on  dis 
bare  groun'." 

The  grief  of  this  poor  mother  was  distressing  in  the 
extreme.  She  knew  not  whether  her  husband  and  three 
older  children,  sold  away  two  years  previously,  were  still 
slaves  or  living,  as  she  had  never  heard  a  word  from  them 
since  they  were  taken  from  her.  Those  sad  separations, 
she  said,  were  much  harder  to  bear  than  the  death  of  this 
child.  But  she  consented  to  go,  on  my  promise  to  see 
that  her  child  was  buried  before  night.  After  she  left  for 
the  boat  I  went  to  the  captain  to  see  his  promise  performed. 
He  seemed  very  indifferent. 

"What  is  the  difference  if  that  child  shouldn't  be 
buried  this  afternoon  or  whether  Avharf-rats  eat  it  or  not?" 

"You  promised  to  have  it  buried  this  afternoon,"  I  said, 
"  and  I  told  that  poor  woman  I  wou*ld  see  that  it  was 
done;  and  I  see  no  other  way  than  to  hold  you  to  that 
promise,  for  I  shall  meet  her  on  the  island,  and  I  must 
report  to  her." 

Said  the  captain,  "You  won't  allow  such  things  as  these 
to  break  your  heart,  after  being  in  the  army  a  little  while 
and  seeing  our  soldiers  buried  in  a  ditch,  with  no  other  coffin 
or  winding  sheet  than  the  soldier's  dress.  For  the  time 
being  we  bury  hundreds  just  in  that  way;  and  when  from 
five  to  fifteen  die  in  one  day,  as  sometimes  is  the  case  in 
these  large  camps,  we  can  not  make  coffins  for  them,  but 
we  roll  them  up  in  whatever  they  have.  If  we  can  get  a 
piece  of  board  to  lay  them  on  when  we  put  them  in  their 
graves  we  do  well."  "  But  here  you  have  lumber  and 
plenty  of  carpenters,  and  you  can  have  a  plain  coffin  for 
the  dead,  and  I  do  hope  one  will  be  made  for  this  child. 
As  I  told  the  mother  I  would  see  that  a  coffin  was  made 
for  her  child  and  have  it  buried  this  afternoon,  I  will  do 
it."  He  called  the  sergeant  and  gave  the  order  for  a  car- 
penter among  the  soldiers  to  make  it,  and  I  saw  the  pine 


248  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

board  coffin  go  to  the  burying  ground  with  the  child  just 
before  sunset. 

Colonel  Thomas  and  the  captain  doubted  whether  I 
could  secure  transportation  from  General  Taliaferro,  who 
was  in  charge  of  that  post.  They  said  he  was  a  cross  old 
bachelor,  and  had  said  he  would  not.  give  another  woman 
transportation  to  go  into  the  army.  "But,"  said  Colonel 
Thomas  to  the  captain,  "she  will  be  more  likely  to  suc- 
ceed if  she  goes  herself  without  any  word  from  us." 

On  the  following  day  my  car-load  of  supplies  arrived, 
and  I  began  to  regret  that  I  had  not  waited  a  day  or  two 
longer  at  home  for  the  one  hundred  dollars  that  could  have 
been  placed  in  my  hands,  so  that  I  could  use  it  in  an  emer- 
gency if  I  should  be  refused  transportation.  With  some 
misgivings  I  entered  the  general's  office  and  requested  an 
interview.  I  introduced  myself  by  handing  him  my  papers, 
which  he  looked  over,  and  pleasantly  asked  what  I  wished. 

"I  am  hoping,"  I  said,  "to  secure  transportation  to 
Island  No.  10, "and  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  for  myself  and 
the  supplies  referred  to  in  those  papers." 

"Well,  madam,  I  think  your  papers  are  worthy  of 
attention,  and  I  will  grant  your  request." 

This  was  said  in  such  a  pleasant  manner  I  almost  con- 
cluded the  general  had  been  misrepresented,  but  how 
changed  his  tone  when  he  called  his  adjutant,  who  in  an 
instant  stood  before  him.  "Go  tell  my  clerk  to  come  in." 
He  hurried  to  obey  his  command,  and  returned  with  the 
report,  "He  is  gone." 

"Gone!  where  has  he  gone?" 

"  He  went  a  few  minutes  ago  to  Church." 

"  Gone  to  Church !  He  has  no  business  to  go  to 
Church,  or  anywhere  else,  without  my  permission ;  he  has 
no  right  to  leave  his  office  without  my  order." 

This  he  said  in  such  a  stern,  vociferous  manner  that  I 
wished  myself  out  of  his  presence.  But  turning  to  me,  in 
a  mild  tone,  he  said : 


TRANSPORTATION.  249 

"  Mrs.  Haviland,  you  do  n't  want  transportation  to- 
night. You  come  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'clock,  and 
you  shall  have  the  papers." 

With  heartfelt  thanks  I  left  his  office.  On  my  return 
I  found  Colonel  Thomas  and  the  captain  anxiously  waiting 
to  learn  the  result  of  my  call  on  the  general.  They  met 
me  at  the  door  of  their  office,  and  asked : 

"What  is  the  news?" 

"  The  general  grants  transportation  for  myself  and  sup- 
plies to  Island  No.  10  and  to  Memphis,"  I  said. 

By  their  clapping  of  hands  one  would  have  thought 
they  had  got  cheering  news  from  the  army.  I  found  they 
too  felt  the  weight  of  responsibility  in  this,  as  they  had 
solicited  my  aid  in  getting  these  freed  people  to  go  to 
the  island. 

The  following  morning  I  found  a  boat  was  going  to 
leave  at  half -past  eight  o'clock,  but  too  early  for  the 
promised  transportation.  I  told  the  captain  of  the  boat 
of  my  wish  to  go  with  supplies  to  Island  No.  10  and  to 
Memphis,  but  had  the  promise  from  the  general  to  have 
the  papers  at  nine  o'clock.  A  captain  in  the  army,  stand- 
ing by,  told  him  he  could  take  me  with  supplies  with  all 
safety ;  for  if  General  Taliaferro  had  promised  transporta- 
tion he  could  rest  assured  the  general  at  Columbus,  Ken- 
tucky, would  be  sure  to  give  it. 

"  Very  well,"  he  said;  "  where  are  your  supplies?" 

They  were  pointed  out,  and  he  ordered  them  to  be  put 
on  board  at  once. 

On  landing  at  Columbus  I  called  on  the  general,  and 
secured  transportation  from  Cairo  to  places  of  destination. 
Now  I  thought  all  was  straight ;  but  as  I  handed  my  paper 
to  the  captain  he  said : 

"  This  is  an  order  for  transportation.  The  captain- 
quartermaster  is  to  fill  it  out,  to  be  good  for  any  thing." 

I  confessed  my  ignorance  of  army  red-tape,  and  took 
back  the  papers  to  have  them  finished.  He  inquired  for 


250  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

my  pass  from  the  provost -marshal.  That,  too,  I  knew 
nothing  about;  but  the  army  captain  came  to  my  relief, 
taking  my  papers  and  getting  the  transportation  filled, 
with  a  pass  from  the  provost -marshal.  These  lessons  I 
found  important  in  all  my  after  work. 

We  soon  landed  at  Island  No.  10,  the  area  of  which 
was  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  available  plow  land, 
with  an  excellent  orchard  of  three  hundred  bearing  apple 
and  peach  trees.  Upon  this  island  were  seven  hundred 
freedmen,  who  were  making  good  use  of  the  rich  donations 
of  twenty-five  plows,  with  harrows,  hoes,  axes,  rakes,  and 
garden  and  field  seeds,  from  Indiana  and  Ohio.  Their 
superintendent,  Chaplain  Thomas,  told  me  that  he  never 
saw  a  more  willing  and  obedient  people.  They  mostly 
lived  in  tents.  Government  had  furnished  lumber  to  erect 
a  few  temporary  buildings.  An  old  dilapidated  farm- 
house, and  a  few  log-huts  formerly  occupied  by  the  over- 
seer and  slaves,  were  the  homes  of  Captain  Gordon  and 
Surgeon  Ransom,  with  their  families,  who  seemed  to  enjoy 
camp  life  as  well  as  any  I  had  seen.  They  had  in  charge 
four  companies  of  soldiers.  Their  hospital  assumed  an  air 
of  neatness  and  comfort. 

WeMook  a  stroll  over  the  battle-ground,  and  saw  the 
deep  furrows  plowed  by  the  terrible  shells,  in  which  a  horse 
might  be  buried.  Here  and  there  were  inters]>ersed  "rebel 
rat-holes,"  as  they  were  called,  dug  seven  or  eight  feet 
deep,  and  nearly  covered  with  planks  and  two  or  three  feet 
of  earth,  in  which  they  dropped  themselves,  after  firing, 
to  reload  and  be  secure  from  flying  shot  and  shell.  I 
picked  up  a  couple  of  cannon-balls  about  the  size  of  a 
small  tea-cup,  of  which  a  peck  is  used  for  a  load.  An 
officer  told  me  that  he  saw  twenty-five  rebels  killed  with  one 
discharge  of  these  balls.  O,  what  slaughter  of  human  life ! 

Government  provided  a  physician  and  dispensary  for 
the  freed  people.  Their  hospital  was  a  tent,  like  the  ma- 
jority of  the  regimental  hospitals  in  the  army.  The  first 


AN  OLD  FREEDMAN.  251 

tent  I  visited  was  occupied  by  an  aged  pair,  with  two 
grown  children,  who  appeared  quite  intelligent.  Hard 
treatment  and  cruel  separations  had  filled  the  greater  por- 
tion of  their  lives.  As  I  was  making  remarks  on  the 
wickedness  of  slavery,  said  the  old  man,  with  tearful  eyes, 
"  Please  stop  till  I  bring  in  my  daughter  and  family  from 
the  next  tent."  They  soon  entered.  "Please  go  on,"  said 
the  father.  While  tears  were  coursing  down  the  old  man's 
furrowed  cheeks,  in  undertone  he  ejaculated,  "  O  Lord,  I 
did  not  expect  to  live  to  see  this  day." 

At  the  close  of  my  remarks  he  arose  to  his  feet,  and 
in  the  most  pathetic  manner  addressed  his  family  as  follows: 

"  My  wife  and  children,  have  you  thought  we  should  ever 
see  this?  I  fear  we  are  not  thankful  enough  to  God.  Do 
we  prize  this  precious  privilege  as  we  ought?  That  dear 
wife  was  sold  from  me  nearly  twenty  years  ago ;  soon  after 
my  children  were  sold,  and  I  thought  my  heart  was  broke. 
They  punished  me  because  I  grieved  so  much,  and  then 
sold  me  to  be  taken  another  way.  O,  how  I  prayed  for 
death  to  hide  me  from  my  troubles,  for  I  thought  none 
could  see  as  much  as  I  did.  Many  gloomy  nights  and 
days  of  sorrow  I  spent.  I  could  hear  no  word  from  my 
wife,  and  nothing  from  my  children.  My  master  told  me 
I  should  never  hear  from  them  again,  because  I  made  so 
much  trouble  over  it;  he  would  send  me  as  far  as  wind 
and  water  would  carry  me,  so  I  would  never  hear  from 
them  again.  I  remembered  the  words  of  my  poor  old  fa- 
ther upon  his  death -bed,  when  he  gave  me  this  Bible: 
'  My  son,  the  same  God  that  made  that  Bible  learned  me 
to  read  it,  and  learned  me  to  endure  hard  trials  patiently. 
Remember,  my  sou,  the  same  God  will  do  the  same  for 
you  if  you  go  to  him  for  help ;'  and  so  he  has.  Praise  be 
to  the  Lord  forever!"  He  took  from  a  box  a  Bible,  all 
spotted  over  with  mold,  without  and  within:  "This  Bible 
has  been  manna  to  my  soul  for  many  years.  God  has 
learned  me  to  read,  as  he  did  my  poor  father.  He  has 


252  A  WOMAN'S  LI FK- WORK. 

been  my  support.  I  have  prayed  these  many  years  for 
deliverance  from  bondage,  and  my  faith  told  me  it  would 
come ;  but  I  did  n't  know  it  would  come  in  my  time.  O, 
what  a  Savior  is  our  Jesus!  That  dear  wife  was  compelled 
to  marry  another  man  in  these  long  years  of  separation. 
He  was  taken  into  the  rebel  army,  and  she  came  to  the 
Union  camp.  A  few  days  ago  we  met  at  Fort  Pillow ; 
aud  there  we  met  our  two  long  lost  children ;  and  here  we 
found  this  daughter  and  family.  O,  how  wonderful  are 
God's  ways!  O,  my  wife,  my  children!  let  us  live  nearer 
that  Almighty  Deliverer  than  ever  before,  and  praise  his 
holy  name  forever."  And  the  tall  figure  sat  down,  amid 
sobs  and  tears.  The  spirit  of  that  family  sermon  I  can 
never  forget. 

This  noble  man,  Uncle  Stephen,  was  but  a  few  days 
before  a  slave ;  yet  with  the  dignity  of  a  patriarch  he  as- 
sumed his  new  relation.  He  was  evidently  a  self-taught 
man,  more  intelligent,  and  using  more  correct  language, 
than  any  I  had  met  on  the  island. 

On  leaving  my  tent,  tickets  were  given  with  explana- 
tions of  my  mission,  which  was  both  new  and  strange  to 
them.  In  another  tent  I  found  a  young  man  who  had 
attempted  to  escape  to  our  lines  more  than  a  year  before, 
but  was  overtaken  and  shot  by  his  master,  shivering  the 
bones  six  inches  above  the  ankle,  making  amputation 
necessary.  He  was  beginning  to  use  his  wooden  leg.  His 
master  was  taken  prisoner  by  our  men  a  few  days  before, 
and  he,  with  one  hundred  fellow-slaves,  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Union  army.  He  was  fitted  with  a  whole  suit. 
This  was  done  in  but  few  instances,  the  general  destitution 
forbidding  it.  It  would  have  pleased  the  donors  to  see  me 
with  open  boxes,  taking  out  garment  after  garment,  meas- 
uring and  delivering,  upon  presentation  of  tickets  pre- 
viously given,  to  fifty  or  a  hundred  at  a  time;  and  to  listen 
to  the  many  thanks  and  hearty  "God  bless  you!"  as  each 
garment  was  taken. 


DISTRIBUTING    GARMENTS.  253 

At  breakfast  the  adjutant  told  me  of  five  little  boys 
belonging  to  some  of  the  Fort  Pillow  families  that  were 
almost  naked,  and  that  he  had  given  one  little  fellow  a  pair 
of  his  own  pants.  I  told  him  to  bring  them  to  the  com- 
missary tent  any  time  from  nine  to  twelve  o'clock,  as  I  had 
arranged  to  meet  the  children  to  whom  I  had  given  tick- 
ets; and  if  he  brought  them  or  gave  them  a  slip  of  paper 
with  his  name,  it  would  serve  the  same  purpose.  Soon 
we  were  beside  the  boxes  in  our  commissary  tent  measur- 
ing, fitting,  and  handing  out,  when  up  stepped  the  little 
fellow  of  eight  summers  with  the  tall  man's  pants,  rolled 
over  and  over  at  the  bottom,  with  one  suspender  tied 
around  him,  the  other  placed  over  his  shoulder  to  hold 
them  on.  His  eyes  sparkled  as  a  new  suit  was  thrown 
over  his  arm;  calling  out,  "See  here,  Johnnie,  what  I  got!" 
"Yes,  look  at  mine!"  was  the  quick  reply,  while  on  the 
other  side  stood  a  little  girl  who  exclaimed,  in  surprise, 
"Oh,  Milla,  my  dress  has  a  pocket,  and  see  what  I  found," 
as  she  drew  out  a  rag  doll  two  inches  long.  Then  a  dozen 
other  little  girls  instituted  a  search  and  found  similar  treas- 
ures, which  I  recognized  as  coming  from  certain  little  girls 
in  Hudson,  Michigan.  All  were  on  tip-toe  with  excite- 
ment, and  these  remarks  were  flying  through  this  crowd 
of  little  folks  when  the  adjutant  came  to  the  tent-door. 
Laughing  through  tears,  he  said,  "Have  you  ever  thought 
of  the  Savior's  words,  '  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto 
the  least  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me?'" 

"That  thought  had  come  to  my  mind  before  engaging 
in  this  mission,  and  it  is  that  which  drew  me  from  my 
Michigan  home." 

"Doesn't  this  pay  you,"  he  continued,  "  for  coming  all 
this  distance,  to  see  those  sparkling  eyes  and  light  hearts 
dancing  with  joy  ?" 

"Here  is  verified  the  declaration  that  it  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive,"  was  my  reply. 

A  woman  came  one  evening  with  the  following  queries: 


254  A  WOMAN'S  I.TFE-AVORK. 

"Missus,  whar  all  dese  clo'es  come  from?  Does  gov'- 
ment  send  'em  to  us?" 

On  listening  to  my  explanation,  "An'  don't  gov'ment 
pay  you  for  bringiu'  'em  to  us?" 

After  all  her  questions  had  been  disposed  of  she  sat  for 
a  moment  in  a  deep  study;  then  said  in  surprise,  "De 
Norf  mus'  be  mighty,  mighty  rich  to  send  so  much  money 
down  here  to  carry  on  de  war  and  send  so  much  to  eat, 
and  den  da  send  so  many  clo'es  an'  keep  so  many  men 
here  too ;  indeed  da  mus'  be  mighty  rich." 

They  were  preparing  to  open  a  school  for  them.  Henry 
Roundtree,  a  missonary,  was  laboring  among  them,  and 
would  disburse  clothing  sent  to  that  point. 

After  spending  over  a  week  on  this  beautiful  island, 
on  my  way  to  the  steamer,  I  was  hailed  by  a  female  voice 
calling  out,  "  Missus,  missus,  do  n't  pass  by  dis  yere  way." 
Turning  in  the  direction  of  the  call,  I  saw  a  very  old 
woman  sitting  on  a  log,  clad  in  a  man's  coat,  hat,  and 
shoes,  with  an  old  patched  negro  cotton  skirt.  On  ap- 
proaching her  I  remarked,  as  I  took  the  bony  hand,  "You 
are  very  old." 

"  Can 't  tell  how  ole  I  is,  only  I  knows  I 's  been  here 
great  while.  You  see  dat  white  house  over  de  river  dar? 
Dat  's  been  my  home  great  many  year,  but  massa  drove  me 
off,  he  say,  'case  I's  no  'count,  gwine  round  wheezin'  like 
an  ole  hoss,  an'  snap  a  guu  at  me  an'  say  he  shoot  my 
brain  out  if  I  did  n't  go  to  de  Yankees.  An'  missus  come 
out  an'  say  she  set  fire  to  my  cabin  some  night  an'  burn 
me  up  in  it.  'Go  long  to  de  Yankees;  da  wants  niggers, 
an'  you  aint  no  'count  no  how.'  An'  I  tole  'em,  '  Wa'n't  I 
'count  good  many  years  ago  ?'  But  da  say,  '  Clar  out  wid 
you.'  An'  I  seed  some  boys  fishing'  on  de  bank,  an'  da 
fetch  me  over." 

Looking  down  at  her  stockiugless  feet  she  said,  "  Missus, 
I  ain't  had  a  suit  o'  clo'es  in  seven  years."  I  told  her  if 
there  was  a  woman's  garment  left  she  should  have  it.  And 


ON   THE   STEAMER.  255 

1  would  tell  the  good  people  about  her,  arid  they  would 
send  her  a  suit  of  clothes. 

"  Tauk  you,  missus;  God  bless  you!" 

And  I  left  the  giant-like  old  woman,  whose  head  was 
bleached  by  the  frosts  of  eighty  or  ninety  Winters.  While 
waiting  on  the  gunboat  for  the  steamer,  I  referred  to  the 
old  woman  I  had  seen,  when  one  of  the  men  turned  to  his 
comrade  and  said,  "That's  the  same  strange-appearing  old 
woman  we  brought  over,"  and  he  repeated  the  same  story 
she  related  to  me.  Said  one,  "Such  people  ought  to  be 
made  to  bite  the  dust.  Her  master  took  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  save  his  property;  but  he  has  no  more  principle 
than  a  hyena  to  turn  out  such  an  old  white-headed  woman 
as  that  to  die  like  a  brute." 

Such  are  some  of  the  incidents  that  gradually  changed 
the  politics  of  the  army.  They  made  our  Butlers  and 
Hunters  by  scores.  They  saw  that  man's  inhumanity  to 
man  was  the  outgrowth  of  slavery.  They  clearly  per- 
ceived that  the  iron  rod  of  oppression  must  be  broken,  or 
the  unholy  rebellion  would  succeed. 

At  four  P.  M.  I  embarked  for  another  field.  On  board 
the  steamer  were  a  number  of  officers  and  soldiers,  and 
three  women  who  were  ex-slave  owners.  They  had  quietly 
listened  to  the  conversation  of  the  officers  on  establishing 
schools  among  the  freedmen,  and  taking  them  into  the 
army  as  soldiers.  I,  too,  had  been  a  silent  listener.  After 
the  officers  had  left  the  cabin,  one  of  the  Avomen  drew  her 
chair  near  me,  and  in  a  subdued  tone  said : 

"Do  you  believe  it  is  right  to  set  up  schools  among 
niggers  ?" 

"Certainly  I  do,"  was  my  reply,  "as  they  have  as 
good  a  right  to  become  intelligent  as  any  other  class  of 
people." 

"Do  you  think  that  it  is  right  to  make  soldiers  out  of 
niggers  ?" 

"Certainly,  if  it  is  right  for  any  class  of  people." 


256  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

After  looking  around  to  see  whether  any  officer  was  in 
hearing,  she  added: 

"And  do  you  think  it  right  to  rob  us  of  our  niggers,  as 
the  Yankees  are  doing?" 

"Certainly,  if  you  call  it  robbery  to  allow  the  negroes 
to  go  where  they  please." 

My  replies  were  in  my  common  tone  of  voice,  yet  it 
seemed  to  frighten  her.  She  would  take  a  look  to  see 
whether  an  officer  was  near.  Then  would  go  on  with  her 
queries  in  an  undertone. 

"I  tell  you  it  is  mighty  hard,  for  my  pa  paid  his  own 
money  for  our  niggers;  and  that's  not  all  they've  robbed 
us  of.  They  have  taken  our  horses  and  cattle  and  sheep 
and  every  thing." 

As  I  had  my  little  Bible  in  my  hand,  I  turned  to  the 
predicted  destruction  of  Babylon  in  Revelation,  and  read, 
"  Fine  flour,  and  wheat,  and  beasts,  and  sheep,  and  horses, 
and  chariots,  and  slaves,  and  souls  of  men."  "You  see 
here,"  I  said,  "are  the  very  articles  you  have  named. 
And  God  is  the  same  unchanging  Lord  to-day." 

"  But  I  tell  you,  madam,  its  mighty,  mighty  hard." 

In  all  this  conversation  she  closely  watched  the  officers, 
and  often  raised  her  handkerchief  to  her  face  while  talking 
with  me,  as  if  to  check  the  sound  of  her  already  stifled 
voice.  How  widely  different  were  our  positions,  compared 
with  six  years  before,  when  going  down  this  river  on  an 
errand  for  a  white  fugitive  from  slavery.  Then  my  thoughts 
could  find  no  place  even  in  a  whisper,  and  slave-holders 
were  cursing  and  threatening  abolitionists.  What  a  turn- 
ing of  tables!  Now  I  could  say  all  that  was  in  my  heart 
on  the  sin  of  slavery,  and  the  slave-holder  was  now  hushed. 
The  coal-barge  "  L.  S.  Haviland,"  that  I  saw  on  my  other 
trip  tied  up  a  little  way  above  Memphis,  was  not  now  to 
be  seen.  I  had  not  yet  learned  the  fate  of  those  Tennes- 
see slave-holders  who  had  so  often  threatened  my  life,  and 
a  number  of  my  friends  had  advised  me  to  keep  a  proper 


JACKSON    HOSPITAL.  257 

distance  from  them,  as  this  might  be  the  time  for  their 
opportunity.  When  I  left  my  home  I  had  no  idea  of  go- 
ing as  far  as  Tennessee,  or  my  children  and  friends  would 
have  feared  for  my  safety ;  but,  as  for  myself,  I  knew  no 
fear. 

In  Memphis  I  found  many  hospitals  filled  with  sick, 
wounded,  and  dying  soldiers ;  and  in  better  condition  than 
I  had  anticipated,  except  the  Jackson  Hospital,  which  was 
one  of  the  largest  in  the  city.  I  asked  permission  of  the 
guards  to  enter,  but  was  informed  their  orders  Avere  very 
strict  to  allow  no  one  to  go  in  without  permission. 

"Very  well,"  said  I,  "please  inform  me  where  I  can 
find  the  clerk,  and  I  will  secure  a  permit." 

The  surgeon  in  charge  was  just  passing  out  of  the  main 
entrance,  and  the  guard  introduced  me.  I  informed  him 
of  my  wish  to  visit  his  hospital.  In  a  very  surly  manner 
he  inquired : 

"  Have  you  a  son  here?" 

"  I  have  not,"  I  answered. 

"Then  what  do  you  want  to  go  in  here  for?  It  is  no 
place  for  a  lady  to  step  her  foot  over  the  threshold  of  a 
hospital." 

"  I  perceive  you  and  I  differ  widely  in  that ;  but  if  you 
doubt  my  fitness  to  visit  your  patients,  you  can  examine 
my  papers  from  the  governor  of  my  State  and  a  member 
of  Congress  and  others." 

"If  you  have  no  son  here,  I  don't  see  that  you  have 
any  business  here." 

"  Every  soldier  is  some  mother's  son,  and  I  wish  to 
visit  them,  and  here  are  my  papers;  you  can  read  them 
if  you  wish." 

Throwing  out  his  hand  angrily,  he  said : 

"  Go  along,  then  ;   go  along." 

I  went,  but  he  took  good  care  to  bear  me  company. 

As  we  entered  each  ward,  every  soldier  who  was  able 
to  bear  his  weight  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  stood  by  his  cot 


258  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

during  our  stay  iu  the  ward.  I  saw  at  once  that  it  was  in 
pursuance  of  an  order.  I  had  made  it  a  point  to  shake 
hands  with  every  soldier  that  was  awake  and  conscious; 
but  the  surgeon  hurried  through  without  giving  an  oppor- 
tunity to  speak  to  a  half-dozen  in  the  whole  hospital.  One 
poor  skeleton  of  a  man  sat  bolstered  on  his  cot,  eating  his 
dinner,  and  had  on  his  plate  a  spoonful  of  cooked  onion. 

"Where  did  you  get  that  onion?"  cried  the  surgeon. 

"  I  paid  my  own  money  for  it,  doctor." 

"Who  said  you  might  have  it?" 

"Dr.  Spears." 

"  Very  well,  then  ;"  and  passed  on. 

Here  my  disgust  filled  up  to  the  brim.  I  cared  but 
little  for  his  attempt  to  browbeat  me ;  but  when  he  treated 
a  helpless  soldier  like  this  I  could  hardly  keep  my  indig- 
nation frpm  boiling  over.  The  first  words  spoken  to  me 
after  entering  the  hospital  were : 

"Do  you  want  to  go  into  the  kitchen?" 

"  I  would  like  to  pass  through  your  kitchen,"  was  my 
reply. 

"Very  unfavorable  time,  madam — very  unfavorable; 
about  dinner-time." 

Very  favorable,  thought  I,  and  went  in.  I  could  see 
at  a  glance  that  the  large  caldron  of  potatoes  was  boiled 
half  an  hour  too  long.  Their  bread  looked  well,  and  I 
suppose  it  was  good.  As  we  passed  out,  taking  memo- 
randa and  pencil,  I  said: 

"  You  have  a  very  large  hospital.  How  many  will  it 
accommodate?" 

"Fifteen  hundred,  madam.  Very  few,  very  few  at 
present,  only  four  hundred  and  eighty-four." 

"How  many  nurses  have  you?" 

"  Twenty-three." 

"No  female  nurses?" 

"  No,  madam.  As  I  told  you,  a  woman  has  no  busi- 
ness to  step  inside  of  a  hospital." 


SURGEON  POWERS.  259 

"As  I  told  you,  we  evidently  differ  in  that  respect. 
Where  I  have  found  judicious  female  nurses  it  seems  more 
home-like,  and  our  soldiers  feel  more  contented. ' 

"  Very  few,  very  few  judicious  female  nurses." 

"They  exist,  notwithstanding.  How  many  surgeons 
have  you  ?" 

"  Only  four  at  present." 

"  You  are  the  surgeon  in  charge ;  please  give  me  your 
name." 

"  My  name  is  Surgeon  Powers,  of  the  Seventh  Mis- 
souri Regiment." 

His  name  and  figures  were  too  plainly  recorded  to  be 
effaced.  Here  he  turned  a  perfect  somersault,  if  words 
could  perform  the  feat.  With  an  affected  politeness,  bow- 
ing himself  almost  double : 

"Madam,  I  hope  you  will  call  again  some  time;  call 
in  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  or  afternoon — very  unfavor- 
able about  meal-time." 

"  If  I  remain  a  week  or  ten  days  longer  in  the  city,"  I 
replied,  "  I  shall  do  so." 

"  I  would  be  very  happy  to  have  you  call  again, 
madam ;  very  happy  to  see  you  again." 

I  left  with  a  heavy  heart,  and  called  at  the  sanitary 
rooms  to  ascertain  the  location  of  five  unvisited  hospitals. 
I  found  the  room  filled  with  officers  and  a  few  generals  of 
high  rank.  I  introduced  myself,  as  usual,  by  handing  Dr. 
Warrener,  sanitary  agent,  my  papers. 

"Then  you  are  visiting  the  hospitals,  with  supplies, 
etc.,  are  you?  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  as  we  have  had  no 
visitor  from  so  far  North.  How  do  you  find  them?" 

"  I  have  found  them,"  I  answered,  "more  satisfactorily 
conducted  than  I  anticipated,  with  but  one  exception." 

"Have  you  visited  the  Jackson?" 

"I  have  just  come  from  there." 

"To-day  is  not  the  visiting  day.  Did  you  see  Surgeon 
Powers?" 


260  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  I  did." 

"  Did  you  get  into  that  hospital  without  trouble?" 

"  We  had  a  parley." 

"  What  did  he  say  to  you?" 

I  gave  his  objection  and  my  reply  in  a  low  tone.  To 
my  annoyance,  the  doctor  repeated  it  in  a  loud  voice,  and 
continued : 

"You  certainly  could  have  given  no  better  reason  than 
that  every  soldier  is  some  mother's  son.  What  do  you 
think  of  Surgeon  Powers?" 

I  hesitated  in  view  of  all  these  officers ;  but  my  second 
thought  was,  no  matter  whether  the  President  himself  were 
present;  and  I  frankly  replied: 

"  I  think  he  is  a  tyrant  brandy-cask.  Why  do  you 
allow  such  a  man  to  occupy  the  responsible  position  of 
surgeon  in  charge  of  hundreds  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers?" 

"  We  tried  once  to  get  him  out,  and  failed.  You  ought 
to  see  the  medical  director,  who  is  iu  the  city." 

He  gave  me  the  location  of  the  hospitals  I  desired,  and 
I  left.  Remembering  the  promise  I  made  my  son  Joseph, 
I  returned  to  head-quarters,  and  spent  the  balance  of  the 
day  in  writing  for  soldiers  and  for  myself. 

The  following  morning  I  resumed  hospital  visiting.  On 
the  street  I  met  an  officer,  who  reached  his  hand  with  a 
smile,  saying,  "  You  do  not  recognize  me,  but  I  recognize 
you  as  being  the  lady  in  Dr.  Warrener's  office  yesterday, 
after  visiting  the  Jackson  Hospital." 

"  I  do  not  know  but  you  thought  me  severe  in  my  re- 
marks concerning  Surgeon  Powers." 

"  Not  at  all — not  by  any  means,  for  I  had  two  sons 
under  him  six  weeks,  and  they  both  declared  they  would 
rather  die  in  the  open  field  than  be  under  the  care  of 
that  drunken  tyrant  again." 

"  Why  do  you  permit  such  a  surgeon  to  have  the  care 
of  the  sick,  wounded,  and  dying  soldiers?" 


THE   MEDICAL    DIRECTOR.  261 

"  Well,  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  do  much  with  each  other, 
but  there  is  the  medical  director  just  ahead  of  us;  you 
ought  to  see  him ;  I  '11  introduce  you.  He  is  very  much 
of  a  gentleman." 

The  first  query  of  the  medical  director,  after  reading 
my  papers,  was  "  Have  you  visited  the  Jackson  Hospital? 
And  did  you  see  Surgeon  Powers?" 

"I  undertook  to  visit  it  yesterday,"  I  said,  "but  was 
hurried  through  in  such  haste,  by  Surgeon  Powers,  that  I 
could  not  speak  to  any  of  the  soldiers,  or  stop  to  write  for 
them  to  their  home  friends,  if  they  desired." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Surgeon  Powers?" 

"  I  think  he  is  an  unfeeling  tyrant.  The  white  of  his 
eyes  had  the  color  of  red  flannel,  and  the  unmistakable 
brandy  breath  made  standing  near  him  very  unpleasant. 
Besides,  his  ungeutlemanly,  morose  treatment  of  helpless 
soldiers  indicates  his  entire  unfitness  for  the  position  he 
occupies.  If  the  milk  of  human  kindness  is  more  loudly 
called  for  in  one  position  than  another,  it  is  in  the  surgeon 
in  charge  of  sick,  wounded,  and  dying  soldiers." 

"  We  know,  Mrs.  Haviland,  this  is  true,  and  we  made 
an  effort  to  displace  him  once  and  failed,  because  the  med- 
ical director  over  the  whole  of  us  in  this  division,  next  in 
rank  to  Grant  himself,  is  determined  to  hold  him  here. 
But  if  you  will  make  out  your  report,  with  the  recom- 
mendations from  your  governor  and  Congressman  backing 
it,  we  can  make  that  efficient.  You  may  make  your  re- 
port as  strong  as  you  please." 

I  left  him  with  cordial  thanks,  and  soon  the  report  was 
handed  him.  I  visited  all  the  hospitals  in  that  post,  and 
on  my  second  visit  to  the  Jackson  found  Surgeon  Powers 
filled  to  overflowing  with  affected  politeness ;  but  it  did 
not  brighten  the  bleared  eye,  or  straighten  the  zigzag  gait 
of  the  surgeon. 

A  few  weeks  after  I  met  a  Memphis  officer,  who  in- 
formed me  that  Surgeon  Powers  was  relieved  of  hospital 

18 


262  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

work  altogether  very  soon  after  I  left  the  city.  A  few 
months  later  he  filled  a  drunkard's  grave. 

In  one  hospital  in  Memphis  I  found  in  one  corner  a 
female  soldier,  Charlie.  She  was  in  both  Bull  Run  battles, 
and  four  others  she  named ;  besides,  she  had  endured  long 
marches.  Here  she  was  taken  violently  ill  with  typhoid 
fever,  and  for  the  first  time  her  sex  became  known.  She 
was  large  and  rather  coarse-featured,  and  of  indomitable 
will.  .She  said  the  cause  of  her  enlistment  did  not  now 
exist,  and  she  wanted  to  go  home  as  soon  as  able.  She 
intimated  that  her  betrothed  had  recently  died,  and  she 
had  no  desire  to  remain  in  the  army. 

While  in  Memphis  a  telegram  came  from  President 
Lincoln  ordering  four  hundred  colored  men  to  be  enlisted, 
and  no  more,  until  further  orders.  Colonel  Eaton  took 
this  work  for  his  breakfast  spell.  As  he  came  in  rather 
late  for  his  morning  meal  he  said,  "  I  have  enlisted  the  re- 
quired number,  and  quite  a  company  went  away  crying 
because  they  could  not  enlist.  I  comforted  them  by  telling 
them  that  I  presumed  there  would  be  another  call  soon." 
I  had  built  a  bed  for  myself  in  one  corner  of  the  commis- 
sary building,  and  aa  we  were  occupying  the  weakest  point 
at  the  post,  we  were  ordered  to  have  no  light  in  our  tents, 
but  before  dark  to  have  every  needed  article  at  our  bedside, 
ready  at  a  moment's  warning  to  be  conducted  to  Fort  Pick- 
ering. Soldiers  were  kept  in  readiness  for  action,  as  the 
enemy  was  threatening  to  retake  Memphis.  At  two  o'clock 
A.  M.  the  loud  cry,  "Halt!"  at  the  corner  where  I  was 
sleeping,  aroused  me.  This  was  quickly  followed  by  a  stil* 
louder  "  Halt!  May  be  you  do  n't  know  who  I  is ;  I  holds 
a  gun,  an'  her's  off." 

"  Well — well,  I  only  want  to  come  to  you ;  I  do  n't  want 
to  go  farther."  The  officer  approached,  saying,  "That  is 
right;  if  I  had  taken  one  step  after  you  cried  halt  the  third 
time,  you  should  have  shot  me  through,  no  matter  who  I 
am,  if  it  was  the  President  himself." 


A    SICK    SOLDIER.  263 

At  the  breakfast  table  Colonel  Eaton  remarked:  "A 
number  of  our  new  colored  soldiers  were  put  on  picket 
guard  last  night  on  trial,  and  not  one  sleepy  head  was 
found  among  them.  Since  we  accept  these  men  as  soldiers 
I  am  confident  it  will  do  away  the  necessity  of  drafting 
men,  as  some  think  must  soon  be  done." 

I  spent  a  few  days  in  visiting  hospitals,  often  reading 
portions  of  Scripture,  and  kneeling  by  the  cot  of  the  suf- 
fering and  dying  soldiers,  imploring  the  Great  Physician  to 
heal  the  sin-sick  soul.  For  some  I  wrote  letters  to  their 
home  friends,  which  I  found  was  often  very  gratifying  to  poor 
homesick  boys.  One  very  sick  with  pneumonia  wished  me 
to  write  to  his  folks  in  Kent  County,  Michigan,  that  he 
was  in  the  hospital  from  a  little  cold,  but  would  soon  be 
able  to  join  his  regiment  again.  I  dared  not  write  accord- 
ing to  his  directions,  and  told  him  I  would  finish  his  letter 
at  head-quarters.  When  he  asked  my  name,  he  wanted  to 
know  if  I  was  a  relative  of  Rev.  D.  S.  Haviland,  in  Kent 
County,  Michigan.  When  I  told  him  he  was  my  son,  he 
held  my  hand  in  both  of  his  and  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears, 
and  said  he  had  heard  him  preach  many  times,  and  thought 
he  was  such  a  good  man.  I  saw  his  feelings  were  deeply 
affected,  and  I  feared  it  would  increase  the  fever,  and  I 
promised  to  come  and  see  him  again  in  a  day  or  two.  I 
sat  by  him  with  my  hand  upon  his  head  and  consoled  him 
as  best  I  could.  When  he  became  calm  I  left,  and  called 
on  his  physician  for  his  opinion  concerning  him.  He  said 
he  was  still  in  a  critical  condition,  but  thought  the  disease 
was  turning  in  his  favor,  and  advised  me  not  to  write  to 
his  friends  until  two  days  more  had  passed,  as  he  would 
then  be  able  to  judge  better  of  his  case.  Two  days  later 
I  called  again  and  found  him  much  better,  but  the  doctor 
thought  the  excitement  of  my  leaving  him  increased  the 
fever  during  the  afternoon.  He  was  now  a  little  stronger, 
and  he  said  I  had  better  not  let  him  know  that  I  designed 
leaving  the  city.  I  finished  the  letter  with  greater  encour- 


264  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

agement  than  I  could  have  done  conscientiously  on  my 
first  visit. 

As  I  was  passing  out  one  of  the  convalescents  said, 
"Frank,  here  is  that  woman  you  Avautcd  to  see;"  and  he 
came  on  a  run. 

"Are  you  from  Michigan?"  I  asked. 

"  Not  quite,"  he  said  ;  "  but  I've  been  in  Michigan.  I 
am  from  Ohio,  and  that  is  its  next  neighbor ;"  and  he 
seemed  as  glad  as  if  he  was  meeting  his  mother.  "O,  how 
much  you  remind  me  of  my  mother !  Your  advice  to  us 
boys  is  almost  in  the  same  words  my  mother  gave  me  when 
I  left  her ;"  and  tears  spoke  louder  than  words  of  his  ap- 
preciation of  visits  from  his  mother's  representative. 

I  visited  many  camps  of  the  freed  men,  where  there 
were  two  thousand,  with  daily  additions.  Forty  came  into 
Bethel  Camp  one  afternoon.  I  went  among  them,  and 
said  to  the  man  I  met  first: 

-     "  You  concluded  to  use  your  freedom  in  coming  into 
the  Union  camps?" 

"Freedom!"  looking  up  in  surprise. 

"  Yes;  you  know  President  Lincoln  has  proclaimed  all 
slaves  free." 

"  Is  dat  so?" 

"Certainly;  you  have  heard  about  it,  I  suppose." 

"No,  missus,  we  never  hear  nothing  like  it.  We 's 
starvin'.  and  we  come  to  get  somfiu'  to  eat.  Dat's  what 
we  come  for.  Our  'people  home  tell  us  Yankees  want 
niggers  to  kill ;  an'  da  boils  'em  up  in  great  caldrons  to 
eat,  'case  da  's  starviu'.  But  all  de  white  men  gone  into 
de  army,  an'  lef  us  all  wid  missus ,  an'  da  locks  de  bacon 
up  for  de  sojers,  an*  gib  us  little  han'ful  o'  meal  a'  day,  an' 
we  's  got  weak  an'  trimbly.  An'  I  tole  my  people  we  's 
gwine  to  die  anyhow,  an'  we  'd  try  de  Yankees." 

They  were  all  so  surprised  at  the  idea  of  freedom  that 
they  could  hardly  credit  the  fact  until  their  own  people 
confirmed  what  I  had  told  them.  Rations  were  given  to 


ADDRESS  AT  CAMP.  265 

that  hungry  company  at  once.     I  told  them  this  did  not 
look  like  killing  oft  colored  people. 

"No,  missus,  dis  'pears  like  makin'  alive,  instead  of 
killin'.  God  bless  sich  people  as  dese,  if  dis  be  Yankees." 

A  couple  of  young  men  followed  me  from  tent  to  tent, 
as  I  was  reading  portions  of  Scripture,  and  advising  them 
how  to  live  in  their  new  relation  as  a  free  people.  I  ad- 
vised them  to  live  soberly  and  honestly  in  the  sight  of  all 
men;  that  our  Heavenly  Father  looks  upon  all  his  chil- 
dren alike,  and  that  our  Lord  and  Savior  died  upon  the 
cross  for  all  alike,  because  he  is  no  respecter  of  persons. 
The  young  men  asked  to  be  excused  for  following  me; 
"for,"  they  said,  "we  never  heard  white  folks  talk  like 
you  talks  in  our  life.  Da  never  talks  for  our  own  good ; 
an'  dis  is  so  new  we  wants  to  ax  you  please  excuse  us." 

Our  head -quarters  were  most  of  the  time  at  Camp 
Bethel ;  but  I  spent  a  portion  of  my  time  in  Camp  Shiloh, 
which  was  in  sight.  On  the  Sabbath  I  attended  a  very 
large  meeting  in  a  grove  of  pecans,  oaks,  and  magnolias. 
The  minister  was  a  colored  man  of  considerable  intelli- 
gence, could  read  quite  well ;  and  perhaps  there  were 
nearly  or  quite  one  hundred  of  our  soldiers  in  attendance. 
I  spoke  to  one  man  near  the  stand  while  they  were  sing- 
ing, informing  him  that  I  would  like  to  make  a  few  re- 
marks if  their  minister  was  willing.  The  minister  said, 
before  dismissing  the  congregation,  he  would  give  liberty 
for  a  white  lady  present  to  speak.  "I  do  not  know  who 
she  is.  She  may  be  here  inquiring  for  some  of  her  people ; 
but  we  can  tell  better  as  to  her  object  when  we  hear  her;" 
and  he  invited  me  forward. 

I  saw  at  once  the  minister  took  me  to  be  one  of  those 
slave-holders  who  were  coming  into  their  camp  almost  daily 
to  persuade  their  slaves  back,  though  not  one  of  them  ever 
succeeded.  I  told  them  my  object  was  to  inquire  after  the 
health  of  this  people,  body,  soul,  and  spirit — and  my  peo- 
ple were  all  who  accept  salvation  through  our  Lord  and 


260  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Savior  Jesus  Christ;  that  our  Heavenly  Father  made  all 
the  nations  of  the  whole  earth  of  one  blood,  and  never  de- 
signed that  one  race  should  hold  another  in  bondage.  I 
had  hardly  finished  my  first  sentence  before  the  minister 
and  those  near  him  were  urging  me  to  step  to  the  top 
of  their  platform,  as  I  had  only  taken  one  or  two  steps 
forward.  "Come  up  here;  our  people  all  want  to  see 
you,"  I  had  to  obey.  Ten  minutes'  talk  did  not  satisfy. 
The  minister  and  others  in  that  large  congregation  bade 
me  go  on;  and  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  more  were  occupied. 

At  the  close  a  few  hundred  of  those  whose  families  had 
been  broken  up  by  cruel  separations  came  to  me,  and  many 
tears  were  coursing  down  the  sable  cheeks  of  many  gath- 
ered around  me  to  shake  my  hands,  which  were  actully 
lame  and  swollen  for  three  days  after. 

Said  the  disappointed  minister,  "  It  'pears  like  an  angel 
dropped  down  'mongst  us,  in  place  of  the  slave-missus 
come  for  her  people." 

Said  one  woman :  "  My  ole  missus  come  las'  week  to 
get  all  fifty -five  of  us  back  again,  and  she  tried  mighty 
hard  to  get  us  to  go  back  wid  her.  Den  she  went  to 
General  Grant,  an'  he  say,  '  If  your  people  want  to  go 
back  they  may.'  Den  she  try  us  again;  but  not  one 
would  go,  'case  we  knows  her  too  well — she  's  mighty  hard 
on  us.  Den  she  went  back  to  the  general,  an'  begged  an' 
cried,  and  hel'  out  her  ban's,  and  say,  '  General,  dese  ban's 
never  was  in  dough — I  never  made  a  cake  o'  bread  in  my 
life ;  please  let  me  have  my  cook.'  An'  she  tuck  on  so  I 
jus'  trimble ;  I 's  feared  he  'd  tell  me  to  go  wid  her.  But 
all  her  cryin'  did  n't  help  her.  General  say,  '  I  can  't  help 
you,  madam ;  if  your  cook  wants  to  go  wid  you  she  can ; 
but  she  is  free,  an'  can  do  as  she  likes  about  it.'  An'  she 
went  off  cryin';  an'  we  could  jus'  kiss  de  groun'  General 
Grant  walks  on  ever  since." 

Among  the  most  affecting  scenes  were  meetings  of 
members  of  families  long  separated.  In  passing  out  of 


MARRIAGE    AT    CAMP.  267 

this  multitude  my  attention  was  attracted  to  a  group  who 
were  singing,  shaking  hands,  shouting,  and  reciting  their 
afflictions  and  sore  trials  since  they  were  parted.  One 
woman  found  her  sister,  who  was  sold  from  her  fifteen 
years  before.  They  had  not  heard  from  each  other  till 
just  here  they  met.  "O  sis'  Susie,  you  know  my  two  nice 
boys  was  sole  from  me  two  year  afore  I  was  sole  off  dat 
plantation  down  de  river,  an'  it  'peared  like  niy  heart  was 
broke ;  an'  missus  had  me  hit  fifty  lashes  'case  I  cried  so 
much.  An'  de  Lo'd  has  been  my  sun  an  shiel'  all  dis 
time.  An'  here  I  foim'  my  two  boys ;  da 's  heap  bigger, 
but  da's  my  own  dear  boys.  I 's  prayed  long  for  freedom, 
an'  God  did  come  down  and  make  us  free.  Glory,  GLORY 
be  to  his  name !"  And  they  embraced  each  other  in  wild 
excitement  during  some  minutes.  Then  they  went  to 
another  part  of  the  camp  to  meet  some  of  their  friends 
Susie  told  her  of. 

I  hastened  back  to  Camp  Bethel,  to  witness  the  mar- 
riage of  twenty  couples  that  Colonel  Eatxm,  who  was  a 
chaplain  among  them,  was  to  marry  with  one  ceremony. 
Many  of  the  men  were  of  the  newly-enlisted  soldiers,  and 
the  officers  thought  they  had  better  be  legally  married, 
although  many  of  them  had  been  married  a  number  of 
years,  but  only  according  to  slave  law,  which  recognized 
no  legal  marriage  among  slaves.  At  the  appointed  hour 
the  twenty  couples  stood  in  a  row,  each  couple  with  right 
hands  clasped ;  and  among  them  one  young  couple,  that 
being  their  first  marriage.  All  gave  affirmative  answers 
at  the  same  time;  first  the  men,  then  the  women.  After 
the  ceremony  Chaplain  Eaton  offered  an  earnest  prayer, 
all  kneeling.  Then  he  shook  hands  with  them  to  signify 
his  congratulations,  and  I  followed  him  in  like  manner. 
It  was  a  novel  scene,  and  yet  solemn. 

Jn  the  morning  I  was  to  leave  Memphis  I  saw  an  old 
woman  wringing  the  bottom  of  her  cotton  dress  a  few  rods 
from  the  door.  I  inquired  how  her  dress  came  so  wet 


268  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

half  a  yard  deep.  "  I  come  up  in  a  leaky  skiff  las'  night 
wid  six  boys  dat  de  oberscer  whip  de  Yankee  out,  he  say; 
an'  da  say  da  go  to  Yankees  now  any  how,  an'  I  begged 
'em  to  let  me  come,  for  da  knows  I  has  sich  hard  times. 
But  da  say,  '  Aunt  Peggy,  de  skiff  leak  so  bad.'  But  I 
tole  'em  I's  comin'  wid  a  basin,  an'  I  reckon  I  dip  fas' 
enough  to  keep  us  'bove  water.  An'  da  let  me  come,  an' 
it  tuck  all  night  to  come  seven  miles  up  de  river.  Dar 
was  forty  of  us  on  dis  plantation.  Massa  is  a  big  man  in 
Secesh  army,  an'  sent  more  'n  a  hundred  of  our  people 
'way  off  to  de  big  plantation :  an',  missus,  da  all  wants  to 
come  mighty  bad,  an'  begged  us  to  go  see  de  big  man 
right  soon,  an'  tell  him  da  wants  to  do  any  thing  he  wants 
'em  to  do,  if  he  will  only  let  'em  come.  For  missus  is 
mighty  rich,  an'  do  n't  need  us,  'case  she  's  got  barrels  of 
meal,  au'  flour,  an'  plenty  bacon  in  de  smoke-house,  da 
keeps  locked  up,  da  say  for  de  Secesh  sojers.  An'  missus 
had  us  put  a  tin  trunk  of  gole  an'  silver  money,  an'  a  big 
cues'  of  all  her'silver  plate  way  up  in  de  lof  few  days  ago. 
Missus,  do  please  go  tell  de  big  man  how  da  all  begged  us 
so  hard  to  ax  him,  soon  as  we  got  here,  if  he  '11  let  'em 
come." 

I  told  her  I  would  see  the  colonel,  and  inquired  for  the 
boys  who  came  with  her.  She  pointed  to  the  six  young 
men  standing  outside  our  door.  I  approached  the  young 
men,  who  were  between  twenty  and  thirty  years  of  age, 
and  shook  hands  with  them,  saying,  "  It  seems  your  over- 
seer did  n't  succeed  in  whipping  the  Yankee  out  of  you 
night  before  last." 

"No,  indeed,"  said  one;  "he  drove  in  the  Yankee 
deeper  every  lick  ;"  and  another  said,  "  I  reckon  he'll  find 
out  this  morniu'  how  much  Yankee  he  whipped  out." 

I  informed  Colonel  Eaton  of  his  new  comers ;  and  of 
the  earnest  appeal  of  the  old  woman  in  behalf  of  the  re- 
maining thirty-three,  and  how  she  backed  her  pleading, 
with  enumerating  the  abundance  of  every  thing  her  mis- 


TRANSPORTATION    SECURED.  269 

tress  possessed.  He  said  he  would  see  General  Veach,  and 
he  might  conclude  to  send  a  gun-boat  for  them. 

On  May  17,  1863,  I  called  at  Dr.  Warreners  office  on 
my  way  to  General  Veach's  office  for  transportation  io 
Cairo,  but  designed  calling  at  Island  No.  10  and  Colum- 
bus, Kentucky.  The  doctor  kindly  offered  to  take  my 
papers  and  get  transportation  and  pass  from  the  provost 
marshal  for  me,  and  allow  me  to  rest  the  while.  I  was 
glad  to  accept  the  favor ;  but  he  soon  returned,  rather  dis- 
couraged, and  said,  "  I  think  the  general  rather  cross  to- 
day, and  I  do  n't  know  whether  you  '11  get  transportation 
or  not.  After  reading  your  papers  he  asked  where  you 
were,  and  I  told  him  you  looked  tired  and  were  resting  in 
my  office,  and  I  offered  to  do  this  errand  for  her,  as  it 
would  save  her  a  mile  of  walk.  '  I  VI  like  to  see  the  lady,' 
he  said,  as  he  handed  back  your  papers;  and  you'll  have 
to  go  and  see  him."  Here  was  another  narrow  place.  I 
took  my  papers  to  General  Veach  in  haste,  as  there  was  a 
boat  which  I  was  anxious  to  take  going  up  the  river  that 
afternoon.  I  entered  his  office  and  handed  him  my  papers, 
telling  him  I  hoped  to  receive  the  favor  of  an  order  for  trans- 
portation to  Cairo,  with  the  privilege  of  stopping  at  Island 
Xo.  10  and  Columbus.  He  neither  asked  me  a  question  nor 
opened  my  papers,  but  threw  them  to  his  clerk,  with  direc- 
tions to  give  the  order.  Then  he  sent  it  to  the  quarter- 
master to  fill.  On  my  return  I  called  on  the  provost-mar- 
shal and  secured  my  pass.  Said  the  doctor,  "  What  did 
the  general  say?" 

"Nothing,"  I  answered;  "he  only  looked  at  me  when 
I  gave  him  my  papers,  and  passed  them  over  to  his  clerk 
to  make  the  order." 

"  I  think  he  might  just  as  well  have  sent  them  by  me; 
but  the  general  had  n't  seen  a  Union  woman  for  so  long, 
he  just  wanted  to  take  a  look  at  one." 

I  was  soon  on  the  steamer  that  took  me  from  this  city 
of  many  exciting  scenes.  Here  I  learned  the  sequel  of 


270  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

my  Tennessee  correspondents,  formerly  mentioned,  and  was 
sliown  the  house  where  they  had  both  lain  dead  men. 

I  found  on  the  island  many  waiting  for  the  remainder  of 
my  supplies.  The  number  in  camp  had  now  reached  about 
3,000.  I  also  spent  a  little  time  at  Fort  Pillow,  where  a 
company  of  ex-slaves,  thirty-seven  in  number,  had  just 
made  their  escape  from  their  old  home.  They  had  trav- 
eled all  night  to  get  to  our  lines.  They  took  two  mules 
and  two  carts  to  bring  their  bundles  and  little  folks.  Men, 
women,  and  larger  children  walked  twenty-five  miles,  to 
get  to  Fort  Pillow.  "  What  time  did  you  start?"  I  asked 
one  of  the  tired  women.  "  Early  moourise,"  was  the  re- 
ply. That  was  about  11  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  they  had  made 
all  possible  speed  to  get  to  our  lines,  and  seemed  very  much 
pleased  to  get  clear  of  pursuers,  as  some  in  their  neighbor- 
hood had  been  shot  and  killed  in  their  attempt  to  come. 
The  officers  took  charge  of  the  mules  and  carts,  and  sent 
the  people  to  Island  No.  10.  Here  I  took  a  steamer  for 
Columbus. 

After  lauding  I  saw  a  funeral  procession  of  colored  peo- 
ple, and  a  number  of  officers  and  soldiers.  I  joined  the 
procession,  and  learned  it  was  the  only  son  of  a  slave 
mother  who,  two  days  previously,  had  left  their  planta- 
tion. He  had  heard  that  colored  men  were  accepted  as 
soldiers,  and  was  exceedingly  anxious  to  enlist.  When 
they  were  nearly  half  across  the  river  their  young  master 
reached  the  bank  and  bade  them  return  or  he'd  shoot 
them;  but  the  sou  pulled  for  the  opposite  shore,  when  a 
ball  passed  through  his  right  arm,  breaking  the  bone  above 
the  elbow.  The  mother  took  the  oars  and  pulled  with  all 
her  might,  when  a  second  ball  entered  the  lungs  of  the 
son.  They  were  met  by  a  few  of  our  soldiers,  who  took 
him  from  the  skiff  to  the  hospital,  where  he  received  the 
best  surgical  attendance,  but  without  avail.  Much  sym- 
pathy was  manifested  in  behalf  of  the  bereaved  mother, 
who  was  left  with  two  little  girls.  Bereavement  was  no 


THE    TABLES   TURNED.  271 

new  trial  for  her.  Her  husband  had  beeu  sold  from  her  a 
few  years  before.  I  asked  her  if  these  three  children  were 
all  her  family.  "  O,  no,  houey ;  I  had  two  big  boys  sold 
jits' afore  the  war.  Don't  know  whar  they  went.  An' 
now  my  poor  boy  is  shot  dead  by  that  young  massa  I 
missed  with  my  own  boy.  They  was  both  babies  together. 
Missus  made  me  uuss  her  baby,  an'  set  her  little  girl  to 
watch  me,  for  fear  I  'd  give  my  baby  too  much,  no  matter 
how  hard  he  cried.  Many  times  I  was  n't  allowed  to  take 
him  up,  an'  now  that  same  boy  has  killed  mine,"  and  she 
buried  her  face  in  her  faded  calico  apron  until  it  was  wet 
with  tears.  A  soldier  told  me  a  large  company  of  them 
were  only  waiting  permission  from  their  commander  to  go 
to  that  plantation  and  strip  it.  He  said  she  seemed  to  be 
such  a  nice  woman;  that  they  all  felt  so  indignant  they 
hardly  knew  how  to  wait  for  orders. 

From  this  sad  scene,  walking  to  the  Soldier's  Home,  my 
attention  was  arrested  on  seeing  a  white  man  with  a  ball 
and  chain  attached  to  his  ankle,  with  brick  and  his  ball 
in  the  Avheelbarrow,  wheeling  toward  the  soldier's  camp, 
guarded  by  a  black  soldier.  As  I  stood  looking  at  the 
black  soldier  walking  leisurely  beside  the  white  man  in 
irons,  an  officer  accosted  me  with,  "Madam,  that  prisoner 
you  see  wheeling  brick  to  our  camp  is  a  strong  secessionist, 
and  was  a  hard  master  over  a  large  plantation  with  more 
than  one  hundred  slaves,  and  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and 
all  his  slaves  came  into  our  camp.  The  younger  men 
enlisted  as  soldiers,  and  that  man  made  an  attempt  to 
escape  and  Ave  put  him  in  irons  and  set  a  black  soldier, 
who  had  been  his  own  slave,  to  guard  him." 

"What  a  turning  of  tables!"  I  said. 

"Yes,  you  will  find  the  same  turning  of  tables  within 
our  lines  all  over  the  South/' 

At  the  door  of  a  tent  I  saw  a  large,  square  block  of 
iron,  weighing  sixty  or  eighty  pounds,  to  which  was  attached 
a  ring.  I  inquired  of  a  colored  man  what  it  was  for. 


272  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  That  belonged  to  our  plantation,  and  when  master 
had  a  mind  to  punish  us  he  ordered  us  locked  to  that 
Mock,  and  from  one  to  a  dozen  of  us  sometimes  were  locked 
to  it  Avith  a  long  chain;  and  when  we  hoed  corn  we'd  hoe 
the  chain's  length,  then  the  one'  next  the  block  had  it  to 
tote  the  length  of  the  chain,  and  so  on  till  we  did  our 
day's  work.  Since  we've  been  here  we've  seen  nine  of  our 
masters  chained  to  that  same  block  and  made  to  shovel 
sand  on  that  fortification  yonder.  There  were  forty  of  us 
that  belonged  to  our  plantation  standing  in  this  yard  look- 
ing on." 

"How  did  you  feel  to  witness  such  a  scene?" 

"O,  I  can't  tell  you,  madam;  but  I  cried  like  a  baby." 

"Why  did  you  cry?" 

"O,  to  think  what  great  things  God  is  doing.  Man 
could  never,  never  do  it." 

"Did  the  others  feel  as  you  did?" 

"  O  no,  some  laughed,  and  one  man  said,  'Ah  ha,  you 
see  now  how  sweet  'tis  to  tote  the  old  block,  do  n't  you  ?' " 

"Did  he  say  that  in  his  hearing?" 

"O  no,  we's  five  rods  off." 

There  were  a  number  of  houses  burned  down,  May  28th, 
three  miles  beyond  our  lines.  Mrs.  Samantha  Plumer  in- 
quired of  Curlie,  one  of  our  boys  of  the  home,  if  he  would 
take  us  to  that  biggest  house  buruiug  on  the  Moss  planta- 
tion. No  sooner  was  the  suggestion  made  than  Curlie  got 
his  ambulance  ready  for  us,  and  we  were  soon  in  front  of  the 
smoldering  mansion.  The  proprietor  was  raking  over  the 
debris  for  gold  and  silver  or  other  imperishable  treasure. 

Among  the  ashes  were  hand-cuffs,  chains,  shackles,  and 
other  slave-irons.  He  was  occupying  one  of  his  slave 
cabins,  as  the  long  row  was  vacated  by  seventy  of  his 
former  slaves.  He  was  said  to  be  one  of  the  wealthiest 
planters  in  Kentucky.  One  year  previous  to  the  war,  report 
said  he  lost  seven  valuable  slaves,  and  one  from  each  of 
three  adjoining  plantations  escaped  at  the  same  time,  After 


AN   OUTRAGE   AVENGED.  273 

a  consultation  over  their  loss  they  placed  the  blame  of 
their  escape  on  a  carpenter  from  Illinois,  who  had  been  a 
few  weeks  working  at  his  trade  in  their  midst.  To  be 
avenged  on  the  poor  carpenter,  a  band  of  men  came  upon 
him  in  the  night,  took  him  out  of  bed,  gave  him  a  coat  of 
tar  and  feathers,  and  treated  him  to  a  ride  on  a  rail-horse. 
Then  they  furnished  him  with  soap  and  lard  with  which 
to  disrobe  himself,  and  charged  him  to  leave  the  State 
within  twelve  hours,  never  to  be  seen  there  again,  or  a 
calamity  far  exceeding  this  would  be  his  portion.  All  his 
assertions  that  he  knew  nothing  whatever  of  their  slaves 
were  of  no  avail.  He  left  the  State  as  requested,  but 
wrote  back  to  the  chief  leader,  Moss,  that  if  an  opportunity 
ever  presented  he  would  be  avenged  on  those  who  had 
heaped  upon  him  these  abuses.  Mr.  Moss  said  he  saw 
that  same  carpenter  a  few  days  previous  to  the  house- 
burning,  with  three  other  men,  in  soldier's  dress,  but  he 
did  not  believe  he  was  a  soldier,  but  only  in  borrowed 
clothes,  as  he  did  not  think  a  Union  soldier  would  do  so 
mean  a  thing.  An  officer  remarked,  however,  that  he  was 
a  hard  master  and  a  firm  secessionist,  but  was  now  very 
tame.  On  our  way  back  Curlie  informed  us  that  he  had 
taken  us  three  miles  beyond  our  lines,  and  we  were  very 
near  being  caught  just  opposite  the  line  at  the  firing  of  the 
sundown  gun.  But  with  Curlie's  earnest  pleading  the 
guards  consented  to  allow  us  to  cross  the  line. 

In  one  cabin  there  were  two  quite  intelligent  mulatto 
women,  better  clad  than  any  I  had  met  in  the  camp,  one 
of  whom  was  the  mother  of  three  fine-looking  children.  I 
remarked  to  one  of  them  that  they  had  a  better  chance  for 
life  than  others  I  had  seen,  and  inquired  how  long  they 
had  been  within  our  lines. 

One  of  them  answered,  "Only  ten  days.  Thar  was 
thirty-three  when  we  left  our  plantation  seven  miles  below 
Memphis,  'bout  three  weeks  ago,  but  some  of  our  people 
stopped  at  Memphis  when  we  came  up  the  river." 


274  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

As  I  was  interested  in  her  recital,  she  became  more 
excited  in  giving  details,  and  said: 

"  Mistess  got  mighty  feared  of  black  smoke,  an'  watched 
boats  mighty  close.  One  day  as  she  was  settin'  on  the 
sofa  she  say,  'Mill,  I  reckon  thar's  a  gunboat  comin';  see 
de  black  smoke ;  an'  if  they  do  come,  I  reckon  they  won't 
fin'  that  trunk  o'  money,  an'  ches'  of  silver  plate  you  put 
up  in  the  lof  t'other  day.'  Lookiu'  out  for  the  boat,  'Yea 
that 's  a  gunboat  sure.  Now,  if  the  Yankees  do  stop,  you 
all  run  and  hide,  won't  you  ?'  I  looked  too,  but  did  n't 
answer  till  I  see  the  big  rope  flung  on  the  bank.  An' 
mistess  got  wild-like.  'Yes,  they  are  stoppiu'.  Mill  an' 
Jule  run,  tell  all  the  uiggei-s  in  the  quarters  to  run  to  the 
woods  an'  hide;  quick,  for  they  kills  niggers.  Mill,  why 
do  n't  you  go  ?'  I  said,  '  I  ain't  feared  the  Yankees.'  'Jule, 
you  run  and  tell  all  the  niggers  to  rim  to  the  woods,  quick. 
Yes,  here  they  are  coming,  right  up  to  the  house.  Now, 
Mill,  you  won't  go  with  them,  will  you?'  As  the  men  had 
started  for  the  house  I  felt  safe,  and  said,  '  I  '11  go  if  I  have 
a  chance.'  'Jule,  you  won't  go,  will  you?'  'I  shall  go 
if  Mill  goes.'  She  began  to  wring  her  hands  and  cry. 
'Now,  'member  I  brought  you  up.  You  won't  take  your 
children  away  from  me,  will  you,  Mill?'  'Mistess,  I  shall 
take  what  childern  I  've  got  lef '.  '  If  they  fine  that  trunk 
o'  money  or  silver  plate  you'll  say  it's  your'n,  won't  you?' 
'Mistess,  I  can't  lie  over  that;  you  bo't  that  silver  plate 
when  you  sole  my  three  children.'  '  Now,  Jule,  you  '11  say 
it 's  yourn,  won't  you  ?'  '  I  can 't  lie  over  that  either.'  An' 
she  was  cryin'  an'  wringin'  her  han's,  an'  weavin'  to  an'  fro 
as  she  set  thar.  'Yes,  here  they  come,  an'  they'll  rob  me 
of  every  thing.  Now,  'member  I  brought  you  up.'  Here 
come  in  four  sojers  with  swords  hangin'  to  their  sides,  an* 
never  looked  at  mistess,  but  said  to  me,  'Auntie,  you  want 
to  go  with  us?'  'Yes,  sir,'  I  said,  an'  they  look  to  Jule  an* 
say,  'You  want  to  go?'  'Yes,  sir.'  'Well,  you  can  all 
go;  an'  hurry,  for  we  shall  stay  but  a  little  while.'  An' 


PROPERTY   CONFISCATED.  275 

Jule  jus'  flew  to  the  quarters,  ail'  they  all  tied  up  beds  au' 
every  thing,  an'  tote  'em  down  to  the  gunboats  in  a  hurry. 
An'  two  sojers  went  up-stairs  an'  wa'u't  gone  but  a  few 
minutes,  an'  don't  you  think  here  they  come,  with  that  tin 
trunk  o'  money  au'  ches'  of  silver  plate,  an'  broke  'em  open 
an'  tuck  out  a  big  platter  an'  water-pitcher  an'  a  few  other 
pieces  an'  say,  'See  here,  Tom,  haven't  we  foun'  a  prize  of 
solid  silver  for  gov'meut,'  an'  he  put  it  all  back.  An'  another 
open  tlie  trunk,  '  O,  see  here,  Jim ;  see  what  a  mine  of  money 
we  fouu'  for  General  Veach,'  as  he  tuck  up  a  hau'ful  of  gole 
an'  silver  money  an'  sif  it  through  his  fingers,  droppin'  in 
the  trunk,  sayiu',  'Ain't  we  got  a  pile  o'  money  for  gov'- 
ment.'  An'  he  han'  it  over  to  a  sojer  to  tote  to  the  gunboat. 
An'  two  ov  'em  went  down  cellar  an'  come  back  with  stone 
jars  of  butter,  an'  pezerves,  an'  opened  'em.  '  Tom,  see  here, 
what  a  lot  of  goodies  we  got;  won't  we  live  well?'  An'  he 
cover'd  'em  up  agin  an'  toted  'em  to  the  gunboat.  Then 
they  broke  open  the  meal-room,  an'  rolled  out  barrels  of 
meal  and  flour,  saved  for  secesh  sojers,  an'  rolled  'em  down 
to  the  gunboat.  An',  last  of  all,  they  went  to  the  smoke 
house,  an*  broke  it  open  an'  got  a  lot  of  bacon.  'Now, 
auntie,  you  all  ready,'  they  say?  'Yes,  sir,'  I  tell  'em. 
'Here's  a  roll  of  linsey  for  our  cloze,  shall  we  take  it?' 
'Certainly,  an'  any  thing  else  you'r  a  mine  to.'  As  we 
started  for  the  door  mistess  followed  us  cryin'  an'  wriugiu' 
her  ban's.  'Now,  Mill  an'  Jule,  I  know  you'll  suffer  Avhen 
you  leave  me.'  One  o'  the  sojers  turn  to  her  and  said, 
'  They  won't  suffer  again  as  they  have  done  with  you.'  An' 
this  was  the  firs'  words  she  spoke  after  they  come  in,  an' 
the  firs'  they  said  to  her.  An'  we  all  got  on  the  boat  in  a 
hurry;  an'  when  we's  fairly  out  in  the  middle  of  the  river, 
we  all  give  three  times  three  cheers  for  the  gunboat  boys, 
and  three  times  three  cheers  for  big  Yankee  sojers,  an' 
three  times  three  cheers  for  gov'ment;  an'  I  tell  you  every 
one  of  us,  big  and  little,  cheered  loud  and  long  and  strong, 
an'  made  the  old  river  just  ring  ag'in." 


276  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

She  became  so  excited  she  acted  the  part  of  her  mis- 
tress admirably  in  the  half -bent,  whining,  crying,  and 
wringing  of  hands,  as  she  followed  them  to  the  door. 

"  How  did  you  feel  about  that  silver  plate  that  was 
bought  with  the  price  of  your  three  children?  Did  n't  you 
think  you  ought  to  have  it?" 

' '  O  no,  I  could  n't  touch  it.  It  was  part  o'  my  poor 
dear  childern ;  but  I  did  n't  want  mistess  to  keep  it.  I 
was  glad  to  see  it  go  to  gov'ment." 

The  tears  coursed  down  her  care-worn  cheeks  as  she 
related  the  sale  of  her  three  older  children. 

"I  fell  upon  my  knees  afore  master  an'  mistess,  an' 
begged  'em  not  to  sell  my  poor  childern  down  the  river, 
whar  I  could  never  see  or  hear  from  'em  any  more.  But 
master  say  it 's  none  o'  my  business,  an'  I  should  stop  my 
noise,  or  he  'd  have  me  punished.  An'  mistess  say  she 
won't  have  all  this  cryiu'  round  her.  'Your  childern  be- 
longs to  us,  an'  you  know  it;  an'  it's  not  for  you  to  make 
all  this  fuss  over  it,  either.'  I  said,  '  Mistess,  would  n't  you 
grieve  over  your  childeru,  if  somebody  take  'em  from  you?' 
'You  hush  your  sauce,  or  I'll  have  you  punished.  That's 
another  thing ;  my  childeru  's  white.'  An'  then  they  had 
me  punished." 

Her  husband  was  sent,  with  many  others,  to  what  they 
called  the  "big  plantation,"  in  the  interior.  She  said  her 
master  was  a  "big  man"  in  the  secesh  army.  I  found 
they  called  all  officers  big  men.  After  she  finished  her 
story  I  told  her  I  saw  the  seven  she  said  went  to  Memphis, 
a  few  days  before  they  left,  and  how  Aunt  Peggy  begged 
me  so  hard  to  tell  the  big  man  that  they  all  wanted  to 
come.  And  to  impress  me  with  the  idea  that  the  mistress 
could  do  without  slaves,  she  told  me  about  the  trunk  of 
money  and  chest  of  silver  plate ;  but  I  had  no  more  idea 
of  its  being  confiscated  than  had  Aunt  Peggy  in  her  appeal. 

My  attention  from  this  episode  was  arrested  by  another 
scene  of  a  different  character,  but  truly  revolting — a  young 


POST  HOSPITALS.  277 

mother  of  only  fourteen  years,  with  a  very  sick  infant, 
pale  and  emaciated  herself;  the  grandmother  of  a  very 
light  complexion,  and  the  great -grandmother  a  mulatto. 
All  these  four  generations  were  the  children  of  their  old 
master,  whose  hair  was  white  with  age.  He  was  the  father 
of  the  great -grandmother,  and  of  each  generation  to  the 
fourth,  and  master,  all  in  one.  As  revolting  as  this  fact 
was,  I  was  compelled  to  believe  it,  as  his  former  slaves  told 
me  of  his  licentious  character  from  his  early  youth  to 
eighty  years.  He  was  never  married,  and  was  the  owner 
of  a  large  plantation,  and  his  many  slaves  sought  the  first 
opportunity  to  make  their  escape.  The  condition  of  these 
women  was  truly  appalling,  and  the  history  of  their  base 
and  degraded  master  and  father  too  revolting  for  the  public 
eye  or  etvr !  I  turned  away  with  utter  disgust  at  their  re- 
citals. The  child  soon  died,  and  I  thought  it  seemed  a 
pity  that  its  demented  mother  could  not  have  gone  with 
it;  but  I  did  what  I  could  to  relieve  their  wants. 

The  hospitals  at  this  post  were  tolerably  well  cared 
for,  except  one  regimental  hospital,  where  were  a  number 
of  sick  and  emaciated  soldiers,  who  had  no  pillows  but 
their  haversacks,  and  no  covering  but  their  overcoats,  and 
they  piteously  begged  for  milk.  I  went  to  their  surgeon, 
and  inquired  whether  boiled  milk  would  not  be  allowed  for 
those  'men  who  were  so  low  with  camp  diarrhea,  and 
whether  I  could  not  bring  them  quilts  and  pillows. 
"Madam,  you  can  bring  them  milk,  or  any  thing  you've 
named ;  but  I  tell  you,  if  you  undertake  to  listen  to  all 
these  soldiers'  teasing,  you  '11  have  your  hands  full.  As 
like  as  not,  any  way,  they  '11  trade  whatever  you  give  them 
for  whisky  the  first  chance  they  have."  I  could  not  sleep 
until  I  secured  the  aid  of  two  soldiers  to  go  with  me  to 
carry  milk,  pillows,  and  quilts  for  those  sick  men.  Their 
tears  of  gratitude,  as  I  handed  each  his  bottle  of  milk,  and 
placed  a  pillow  under  their  heads,  and  a  quilt  for  those  who 
had  only  an  overcoat  for  a  covering,  paid  me  well.  I  re- 

19 


278  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFK-WORK. 

i 

turned  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  quite  relieved,  but  wearied 
and  sick,  with  a  severe  cough,  that  had  followed  me  for 
more  than  a  mouth.  I  found  it  necessary  to  hasten  home 
to  rest. 

I  left  this  field  of  suffering  and  constant  excitement 
May  30th,  for  dear  home  and  anxious  children  and  friends. 
A  few  days'  rest  restored  health  and  strength,  but  we 
were  not  relieved  from  excitement.  Our  principal,  E.  A. 
Haight,  enlisted  soon  after  closing  the  Spring  term  of  our 
school.  Preparation  for  another  school-year  was  before  me, 
beside  the  necessity  of  calling  on  friends  in  various  places  for 
supplies.  I  was  informed  by  officers  that  I  could  now 
secure  passes  and  transportation  for  an  assistant  as  readily 
as  for  myself  alone.  My  school  vacation  was  fully  occu- 
pied in. preparing  for  the  following  academic  yearj  and  in 
looking  for  a  congenial  companion  to  share  with  me  in 
this  work, — one  who  was  willing  to  sacrifice  all  upon  our 
country's  altar. 


RETURN   TO   THE   SOUTH.  279 


CHAPTER  XI. 

SANITARY   WORK. 

WE  found  a  necessity  for  organized  work,  and  formed 
a  Freedmen's  Relief  Association,  in  Detroit,  with  Captain 
E.  B.  Ward,  president ;  Rev.  William  Webb,  vice-president ; 
Benjamin  C.  Durfee,  secretary ;  and  Francis  Raymond, 
treasurer.  These  did  what  they  could  in  gathering  sup- 
plies in  that  city  for  me  to  take  South  the  coming  Autumn. 
Brother  Aldrich  was  engaged  to  act  as  principal  of  Raisin 
Institute,  and  this  gave  me  leisure  to  hold  meetings  in 
towns  and  county  school-houses  for  soliciting  help  for  my 
Southern  work.  During  vacation  our  two  halls  were  made 
ready  for  opening  the  Academic  Year,  as  usual,  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  September,  1863-4.  The  school,  though 
smaller  than  before  the  war,  opened  with  fair  prospects, 
and  I  felt  at  liberty  to  leave.  The  institution,  being  in 
competent  hands,  I  obtained  as  a  companion  in  labor  one 
of  the  most  devoted  of  Christian  woman,  my  dear  sister, 
Letitia  Backus,  of  Pittsford,  Michigan.  With  a  car-load  of 
supplies  we  left  our  homes  for  fields  of  greatest  suffering, 
where  least  help  was  found.  Well  furnished  with  docu- 
ments from  our  governor,  Austin  P.  Blair,  and  two 
members  of  Congress,  we  secured  passes  to  Chicago  and 
return,  then  to  Cairo  and  return,  and  from  thence  to  Vicks- 
burg,  Mississippi.  Waiting  a  few  days  at  Cairo,  for  our 
supplies  to  reach  us,  we  visited  the  hospitals  and  camps. 
Here  we  met  a  company  of  men  who  were  called  "Jay- 
hawkers."  They  were  all  tall,  large  men.  One  of  these 
carried  the  treasure-bag,  but  I  do  not  think  he  was  a  Judas 
to  the  government.  A  pillow-case  was  nearly  half  full  of 
gold  and  silver  watches,  diamonds,  and  gold  jewelry,  which 


280  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

they  said  was  confiscated  for  the  government.  They  said 
wealth  gave  the  rebellion  strength,  no  matter  in  what  it 
consisted. 

After  the  arrival  of  our  supplies  we  took  a  steamer 
down  the  Mississippi,  and  stopped  a  short  time  at  Colum- 
bus. A  little  before  landing  I  discovered  an  Irish  woman 
had  in  her  possession  a  six-quart  tin  pail  of  whisky,  and 
a  gallon  jug  that  she  seemed  very  careful  to  keep  out  of 
sight  under  the  sofa ;  I  took  a  seat  by  her  side,  and  knew 
I  could  not  be  mistaken  as  to  the  contents  of  her  pail  and 
jug,  and  as  I  understood  it  was  a  forbidden  article,  I  pen- 
ciled on  the  margin  of  my  official  paper  to  the  inspector 
to  look  well  to  the  whisky  the  woman  at  my  side  had  in 
her  possession.  As  he  came  to  inquire  for  my  baggage  to 
inspect,  I  told  him  where  he  would  find  it,  and  he  would 
see  by  my  papers  what  were  their  probable  contents. 
Taking  a  look  at  the  lady  by  my  side,  as  he  handed  back 
my  papers  he  remarked,  "I  think  I  '11  not  take  the  trouble 
to  inspect  your  baggage,  as  I  see  you  are  all  right."  As 
we  were  going  ashore,  my  red-shawled  companion  carefully 
gathered  her  pail  and  jug  under  her  shawl  at  each  side  of 
her,  and  hurried  to  bury  herself  in  the  crowd.  The  in- 
spector followed  closely,  and  as  he  took  hold  of  the  pail  to 
see  what  she  had  hanging  on  her  arm,  in  her  effort  to  get 
away  from  him  it  fell  on  the  cabin  carpet.  As  the  cover 
came  off  we  had  quite  a  shower  of  whisky  about  our  feet. 
At  this  the  jug  was  seized  by  the  inspector,  amid  shouts  of 
"Good,  good," and  the  laughter  of  the  crowd,  with  mutter- 
ing and  swearing  by  the  Irish  woman.  She  hastened  out 
of  the  crowd,  leaving  her  pail  and  jug  behind  her. 

At  the  Soldiers'  Home  we  found  Samautha  Plummer 
and  her  excellent  assistant.  The  following  three  days  we 
spent  in  visiting  hospitals.  Hospital  No.  2  was  miserably 
cared  for.  The  matron  was  a  Southern  woman,  who  had 
lost  her  husband  in  the  Confederate  army,  but  she  pro- 
fessed to  be  a  Union  woman,  and  said  her  husband  would 


BADLY    KEPT    HOSPITAL.  281 

never  have  gone  on  that  side  but  for  compulsion.  Our 
officers  seemed  to  pity  her  and  her  two  daughters,  and  gave 
them  a  home  in  the  hospital.  The  mother  held  the  posi- 
tion of  nurse,  but  not  one  of  the  three  was  a  suitable  per- 
son to  be  there.  The  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  did  not 
look  as  if  their  beds  or  apparel  had  been  changed  in  two 
weeks.  The  floor  was  filthy,  and  the  scent  was  sufficient 
to  sicken  well  people.  From  the  appearance  of  the  wash- 
boiler,«  running  over  with  dried  apples  that  were  being 
boiled  without  care,  I  judged  every  thing  to  be  done  after 
the  same  style.  I  inquired  of  one  of  the  convalescents  in 
the  yard  when  their  supper  hour  was,  and  proposed  to  re- 
turn to  see  how  the  brethren  fared.  Sister  Backus  was 
rather  fearful  I  might  make  matters  worse,  as  they  might 
suspect  we  had  an  object  in  revisiting  the  hospital  so  soon; 
but  we  were  on  hand  to  see  the  burned  and  sour  biscuits 
dealt  out  to  those  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  with  the  half- 
stewed  apples,  and  a  choice  given  between  rancid  butter 
and  a  poor  quality  of  black  molasses.  I  hoped  to  see 
something  better  when  the  pail  with  a  spout  appeared, 
out  of  which  was  turned  a  substance  half  way  between  pud- 
ding and  porridge.  I  asked  if  it  was  farina.  "It's  corn 
meal  mush,"  and  mush  it  was,  running  all  through  what- 
ever was  on  the  plate.  I  passed  from  one  plate  to  another, 
tasting  the  biscuits  and  cutting  pieces  of  apple  to  see  if  I 
could  find  one  without  an  uncooked  center,  but  with  little 
success. 

In  going  around  I  came  to  half  a  dozen  of  the  boys 
trying  to  while  the  time  away  with  a  pack  of  cards.  Hav- 
ing an  armful  of  Testaments,  I  proposed  to  make  an  exchange. 
This  was  readily  agreed  to,  as  each  of  them  had  left  his 
home  with  one,  but  had  lost  it  in  battle  or  storm.  I  gave 
them  advice  to  commit  at  least  one  verse  from  their  Testa- 
ments daily  while  in  the  army,  and  each  promised  to  do  so. 

All  this  time  of  investigating  their  supper  and  making 
this  bargain,  sister  Backus  was  busily  engaging  the  atten- 


282  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

tion  of  the  matron.  I  left  that  hospital  with  a  heavy 
heart,  and  spent  a  sleepless  night.  I  told  sister  Backus  1 
must  remain  there  until  that  hospital  was  renovated.  I 
wanted  to  go  into  it  and  "  make  things  fly,"  right  and  left, 
if  there  was  no  other  way.  In  the  morning  I  found  the 
medical  director,  and  asked  if  he  had  visited  Hospital  No.  2 
recently.  He  said  he  had  not,  but  thought  the  surgeon 
having  charge  of  that  hospital  a  very  clever  sort  of  a  man. 

"  I  think  there  is  not  a  single  officer  in  that  establish- 
ment," said  I,  "  that  is  at  all  suitable  to  be  there.  Per- 
haps that  surgeon  is  too  clever.  I  tell  you  he  is  defective, 
or  he  would  not  allow  such  a  hospital  as  that  under  his 
charge.  But  I  find  I  am  ahead  of  myself.  You  may 
take  me  to  be  some  nervous  mother,  but  I  only  claim  to 
be  a  representative  of  common-sense  women.  Here  are 
papers  from  the  governor  of  my  State,  and  from  two  mem- 
bers of  Congress." 

After  reading  them  he  said,  "  I  will  take  up  that  hos- 
pital within  two  weeks,  I  think." 

"Two  weeks!"  I  exclaimed;  "many  of  those  soldiers 
will  die  before  that  time.  I  can  not  leave  them  for  two 
weeks." 

"  Then  I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do;  I  will  bring  the 
sickest  ones  here  to  this  hospital,  and  put  the  rest  on  a 
boat  and  take  them  to  Mound  City,  to  the  United  States 
Hospital,  and  take  up  No.  2  within  three  days." 

"That  will  do,"  I  said;  "I  am  satisfied  with  Mound 
City  Hospital,  and  with  this  one.  If  you  will  do  this  I 
will  go  on  to-day  with  our  supplies  for  Vicksburg,  Mis- 
sissippi." 

"  Mrs.  Haviland,  it  shall  be  done  within  three  days," 
he  replied,  and  I  left  him  with  a  lighter  heart. 

We  went  on  our  way  with  a  number  of  officers  and 
soldiers  on  board.  As  we  were  on  the  boat  over  Sunday, 
I  asked  permission  of  the  captain  to  talk  to  the  soldiers. 
He  gave  me  leave,  saying  it  was  a  very  unsuitable  place 


GUERILLA    ALARM.  283 

for  ladies  on  the  rear  deck,  over  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs, 
but  they  would  prepare  a  place  as  soon  as  possible.  While 
preparation  was  being  made,  a  young  man  who  had  been 
studying  for  the  ministry  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  proposed  to  the  captain  to  address  the  soldiers. 
As  he  was  a  minister  the  captain  came  and  informed  me 
that  he  had  granted  his  request.  I  told  him  I  supposed 
we  could  attend.  "  Certainly,  certainly,  if  you  like,  only 
as  I  told  you,  it  is  an  unpleasant  place  for  ladies."  Un- 
pleasant as  it  was,  we  listened  to  a  long  sermon,  and  re- 
mained a  few  minutes  longer  to  give  the  boys  a  mother's 
advice,  as  they  were  leaving  their  Northern  homes,  not  to 
allow  themselves  to  become  demoralized  by  the  many  dan- 
gers and  hardships  they  would  have  to  endure. 

About  8  o'clock  the  boat  stopped  a  little  below  Napoleon, 
Arkansas,  to  wood.  As  it  was  very  dark,  our  torches  were 
lighted,  and  we  saw  a  light  advancing  so  fast  on  the  bank 
that  I  thought  it  must  be  borne  on  horseback.  "No,  it's 
too  low,"  said  a  woman  standing  near  me.  But  it  went 
out  as  soon  as  it  came  to  the  landing,  and  our  light  was 
immediately  extinguished,  the  cable  was  drawn  back,  the 
men  leaped  aboard,  and  the  boat  was  wheeled  so  suddenly 
into  the  stream  that  there  was  great  danger  of  bursting 
the  boiler.  We  heard  many  inquiries  as  to  what  was  the 
matter.  But  the  fact  ran  quickly  over  the  boat  that  there 
were  guerrillas  after  us.  The  running  lantern  we  saw  was 
carried  by  an  old  white  man,  who  overheard  the  talk  of 
more  than  forty  men,  who  were  secreted  in  a  clump  of 
trees  and  bushes  near  the  landing.  They  had  planned  to 
capture  the  first  steamer  that  stopped  to  wood  at  that 
place,  to  take  all  on  the  boat  as  prisoners,  strip  it  of  every- 
thing on  board,  and  let  it  float  down  the  river.  The  old 
man  told  the  men  not  to  let  it  be  known,  if  we  were  cap- 
tured, that  he  had  informed  them  of  this,  as  it  would  cost 
him  his  life.  Such  a  scene  of  excitement  I  never  wit- 
nessed ;  men,  as  well  as  women,  turned  pale,  and  their 


284  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

voices  trembled.  Yet  many  of  them  flew  to  their  card 
tables,  expecting  every  moment  to  be  shot  into,  and  trem- 
bling with  fear  so  as  hardly  to  be  able  to  hold  their  cards. 
The  captain  said  if  pouring  tar  into  the  furnace  would 
send  us  beyond  a  bayou  near  by  before  they  could  over- 
take us,  he  thought  we  should  escape.  After  passing  that 
point  our  colonel  came  to  me  and  asked  after  my  com- 
panion. I  told  him  as  she  was  not  well  she  had  retired 
very  early,  and  I  thought  she  had  better  not  know  auy 
thing  of  this  excitement  until  morning,  if  we  should  es- 
cape ;  if  not,  it  was  time  for  her  to  become  excited  when 
we  were  taken. 

"How  do  you  feel  in  such  an  hour  as  this?"  he 
asked. 

"The  God  of  Daniel  lives  at  this  hour,"  I  answered, 
"and  in  him  I  trust." 

"  I  see  you  take  it  coolly,"  he  replied,  and  looked  sur- 
prised. I  told  him  I  pitied  those  card-players,  for  it  was  a 
hard  play  for  them,  while  standing  face  to  face  with  dan- 
ger. "  You  see  it  is  an  effort,"  he  replied,  "  to  keep  dan- 
ger out  of  mind  as  much  as  possible." 

"  But  see  their  pale  faces  and  trembling  hands.  O, 
what  a  poor  substitute  they  have  for  substantial  trust  in 
an  Almighty  Power!  You  see  that  gentleman  and  his 
wife  sitting  on  the  other  side  of  the  cabin.  They  are  calm 
and  perfectly  composed ;  they,  too,  have  their  pocket  Bible 
in  hand.  They  are  trusting  children  of  the  Most  High,  no 
doubt."  He  thoughtfully  looked  over  that  crowded  cabin 
a  moment,  and  walked  away. 

Very  few  retired  before  12  o'clock,  and  those  men  and 
women  were  all  that  time  making  an  effort  to  quiet  their 
nerves  at  their  card-table.  The  next  morning  our  colonel 
called  again  with  a  little  joke :  "  You  meet  danger  so 
coolly,  I  think  we  had  better  take  you  with  us  to  Texas 
for  a  general." 

I  was  thankful  for  the  improvement  in  sister  Backus's 


FREEDMEN   IX    BATTLE.  285 

health  by  a  good  night's  rest,  and  that  we  had  escaped. 
Without  further  trouble  we  reached  Vicksburg,  but  learned 
that  the  loudest  cry  for  aid  was  in  Natchez,  and  we  has- 
tened there  with  our  supplies.  We  were  offered  a  home 
with  Lieutenant  Thirds  and  family,  who  had  been  invited 
to  occupy  rooms  at  Judge  Bullock's.  The  judge  was  too 
strong  a  secessionist  to  take  the  iron-clad  oath  of  allegiance, 
though  solicited  by  his  wife;  for  she  feared  they  might 
lose  their  property  by  confiscation.  To  save  it,  he  very 
blandly  offered  his  parlor  and  best  rooms  in  his  large 
three-story  brick  house,  where  we  found  very  comfortable 
quarters.  Through  Colonel  Young,  we  obtained  the  use 
of  a  good-sized  store  on  Main  Street  for  our  goods,  and 
the  surgeon  of  the  freedmen's  camp  provided  for  us  a  small 
room  near  the  camp,  where  were  congregated  four  thou- 
sand freedmen  in  condemned  tents.  These  tents  were  so 
leaky  that,  from  exposure,  after  heavy  rains  and  wind,  we 
had  from  five  to  fifteen  deaths  in  a  day.  Here  we  found 
constant  work  for  head,  heart,  hands,  and  feet. 

But  few  days  elapsed  at  any  time  without  hearing  the 
roar  of  battle  near  by,  and  sometimes  the  cloud  of  blue 
smoke  met  our  eye.  One  battle  was  fought  within  two 
miles  by  the  negro  soldiers,  only  a  few  days  after  the  ter- 
rible Fort  Pillow  massacre.  They  fought  desperately.  One 
of  their  officers  told  me  they  had  to  command  their  sol- 
diers to  stop,  and  they  obeyed  only  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet;  for  they  mowed  the  enemy  down  like  grass,  al- 
though they  lowered  their  colors  and  began  to  stack  their 
arms.  Their  officers  told  them  to  stop  firing;  but  a  num- 
ber of  soldiers  replied,  while  reloading,  "  They  hear  no  cry 
for  quarter  at  Fort  Pillow,"  and  fired  again.  But  when 
the  enemy  stacked  their  arms  they  were  peremptorily  or- 
dered to  stop.  I  did  n't  blame  the  boys  for  feeling  as  they 
did  over  that  awful  massacre.  But  strange  as  it  seems, 
not  one  of  our  soldiers  was  killed,  or  even  wounded.  There 
was  a  white  regiment  in  reserve,  if  needed;  and  the  col- 


286  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

ored  soldiers  almost  resented  the  idea  that  they  needed  any 
assistance  whatever. 

There  was  great  excitement  in  the  freedmeu's  camp 
that  day  over  their  victory.  Said  one  woman,  whose  hus- 
band and  two  sons  were  soldiers  in  this  battle : 

"  Why  did  n't  you  shoot  away  as  long  as  one  was  lef  ?" 

"  Our  officers  compelled  us  to  stop." 

"  I  do  n't  care  for  that;  they  need  killin',  eva-y  one." 

Said  I,  "You  would  n't  kill  the  women,  would  you?" 

"Yes,  I  would,"  she  answered;  "for  they's  wusser'n 
the  men." 

"  Well,  there  are  the  innocent  little  children — you 
wouldn't  kill  them,  would  you?" 

Hesitating  a  little,  she  said : 

"  Yes,  I  would,  madam ;  for  1  tell  you  nits  make  vermin." 

She  and  all  her  family  had  belonged  to  Judge  Bullock's 
wife,  and  she  was  still  living  in  her  little  cabin  and  doing 
the  work  for  the  family,  as  she  had  done  heretofore,  though 
she  did  not  work  so  hard.  She  would  take  the  time  to  do 
our  washing  for  us.  She  said  Judge  Bullock  was  harder 
to  please  than  her  mistress;  but  he  was  afraid  of  our  sol- 
diers, and  when  Natchez  was  taken  he  kept  kid  in  a  thicket 
of  bushes  in  the  garden  a  number  of  days.  They  took  his 
meals  to  him  when  no  one  was  in  sight,  expecting  the 
Yankees  would  kill  every  man  they  met;  but  as  he  found 
it  otherwise  he  came  into  the  house,  and  now  he  talked 
with  us  quite  freely.  Their  slaves  were  mostly  house- 
servants,  and  better  treated  than  many  others.  Judge 
Bullock  was  formerly  from  the  North,  and  married  in  the 
South,  and  his  wife  inherited  the  slaves.  Their  cook  was 
a  mulatto,  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  and  she 
told  me  of  the  most  terrible  scenes  of  barbarity  that  she 
had  witnessed. 

The  marks  of  cruelty  were  in  that  camp  so  frequently 
seen — men  with  broken  shoulders  and  limbs — that  it  was 
heart -sickening  to  listen  to  the  recital  of  their  wrongs. 


A  SLAVE-MASTER  MURDERED.  287 

One  man  I  saw  with  a  shred  of  an  ear,  and  I  inquired 
how  his  ear  became  torn  like  that.  He  hesitated  to  tell 
me,  but  one  of  his  fellow-slaves  said  it  was  done  by  order 
of  their  master;  that  he  was  stripped  and  fastened  by  a 
large  nail  driven  through  his  ear  to  a  tree,  and  the  over- 
seer was  directed  to  whip  him  on  his  naked  body  until  his 
writhings  tore  his  ear  out,  and  that  only  ended  the  pun- 
ishment. One  man  by  the  name  of  Matthew  Lasley, 
living  within  two  miles  of  this  city,  owned  one  hundred 
slaves,  and  was  his  own  overseer.  He  worked  his  slaves 
early  and  late,  and  was  proverbial  for  cruelty  to  them. 
They  were  not  half  fed  or  clothed.  A  few  days  after  he 
he  had  sold  the  wife  and  child  of  his  slave  Jack,  they 
were  burning  log  heaps  and  clearing  off  a  few  acres  of 
new  ground.  They  had  worked  until  about  midnight,  and 
were  preparing  to  "  turn  in."  Jack  had  split  an  armful 
of  kindling-wood,  and  was  now  ready  to  go  to  his  lonely 
hut.  Then  his  utter  desolation  rolled  in  upon  his  mind. 
When  his  master  stooped  over  to  light  his  cigar,  the 
thought  -came  to  him  like  a  flash  to  kill  him,  and  then  he 
too  would  die,  and  so  would  end  his  bitter  days.  No  sooner 
was  the  thought  conceived  than  the  act  was  done.  The  ax 
was  buried  in  Lasley 's  head;  and  he  sank,  a  dead  man, 
without  uttering  a  word.  Jack  came  immediately  to 
the  city,  tapped  on  the  window  of  Dr.  Smith's  sleeping 
apartment,  the  son-in-law  of  Lasley,  and  told  him  he 
wanted  him  to  go  at  once  to  the  new  clearing  with  him. 
When  the  doctor  went  out  Jack  told  him  that  he  had 
killed  his  master. 

"What  did  you  do  it  for?" 

"Master  sole  my  wife  and  chile,  an'  I  don't  want  to 
live  any  longer.  Now,  master,  you  may  shoot  me,  or  take 
me  to  jail,  or  do  any  thing  you  're  a  min'  to." 

"Well,  Jack,  I  know  you've  had  a  hard  time;  but  I 
shall  have  to  take  you  to  jail,  any  how,  and  see  what  the 
court  will  do." 


288  A  -WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

After  ordering  Lasley's  body  to  be  taken  care  of,  he 
returned  to  his  wife  and  told  her  all,  and  added  that  he 
wondered  he  had  not  been  killed  long  before,  as  it  was  what 
he  had  looked  for.  Dr.  Smith  employed  one  of  the  best 
lawyers  in  the  city  to  plead  Jack's  case,  and  had  all  the 
Lasley  slaves  brought  into  court,  not  one  of  whom  was 
without  marks  of  cruelty — a  broken  arm  or  leg,  an  ear  cut 
off,  or  an  eye  out.  They  were  all  in  a  nearly  nude  condi- 
tion, three  children  under  ten  years  of  age  entirely  so. 
.  The  daughter  begged  her  husband  to  allow  better  clothes 
for  them;  but  the  doctor  and  the  lawyer  insisted  upon 
their  coming  into  court  with  just  the  clothing  provided  for 
them  by  their  master.  The  lawyer  made  an  eloquent  plea 
for  Jack,  and  pointed  to  the  hundred  slaves,  maimed  and 
crippled  and  almost  naked,  and  Jack  was  acquitted. 
Lasley's  extreme  cruelty  had  created  a  public  sentiment  in 
Jack's  favor,  so  that  unexpectedly  to  himself  his  life  was 
saved.  Jack  was  hunting  for  his  wife  and  child  among 
the  multitude,  but  had  not  yet  succeeded  in  finding  them. 

Week  after  week  was  spent  in  making  personal  inves- 
tigations, measuring  and  preparing  bundles  for  those  nearly 
naked.  As  new  refugees  were  daily  coming  in,  the  officers 
found  it  necessary  to  organize  a  new  camp  over  the  river, 
in  the  rear  of  Vidalia,  Louisiana,  on  the  Ealston  planta- 
tion. As  a  few  hundred  were  gathered  there  we  went 
over  and  found  them  exceedingly  destitute.  There  were 
twenty  families,  mostly  of  those  recently  enlisted  as  sol- 
diers. Some  of  them  were  almost  ready  to  desert.  Said 
one,  "They  say  we  are  free,  and  what  sort  of  freedom  is 
this,  for  us  to  see  our  families  without  a  board,  shingle,  or 
canvas  to  cover  their  heads?  We  are  concluding  to  leave 
our  regiment  and  build  something  to  shelter  our  wives  and 
children.  They  hav  n't  got  a  place  to  sleep  at  night  except 
in  the  open  field."  We  told  them  we  would  make  their 
families  our  first  care,  and  advised  them  not  to  leave. 
Upon  this  they  became  more  calm,  and  concluded  to  wait 


VISITING   THE   CAMP.  289 

a  few  days  to  see  whether  we  would  succeed.  I  went 
immediately  to  the  proper  officer  to  make  inquiries.  He 
said  he  had  ordered  lumber  to  be  sawed  for  the  purpose  of 
building  barracks  for  them,  and  it  ought  to  have  been 
done  by  this  time.  He  sent  his  sergeant  to  see  what  was 
done  toward  it,  and  he  soon  returned  with  the  report  that 
the  lumber  was  sawed,  as  ordered,  but  had  been  used  for 
another  purpose.  He  was  sent  back  with  a  new  order. 

Within  three  days  there  was  a  storm  of  wind,  rain,  hail, 
snow,  and  sleet,  such  as  had  not  been  known  for  years. 
I  spent  another  sleepless  night  listening  to  the  wind  and 
the  pelting  of  hail  upon  the  window-panes.  Early  in  the 
morning  I  went  to  Captain  Thirds  and  asked  for  an  army 
wagon  and  driver,  to  take  a  load  of  bed-clothes  and  wear- 
ing apparel  to  the  camp  for  sister  Backus  to  distribute, 
and  another  to  go  with  me  across  the  river  to  the  new 
camp  on  the  Ralston  plantation.  The  request  was  readily 
granted,  and,  just  as  I  was  ready  to  start,  brother  Wright, 
a  missionary  for  the  other  store,  a  block  above  ours,  came 
in  great  haste  to  forbid  my  going  in  this  terrible  storm. 
"It  is  our  duty  to  stop  your  going.  It  is  a  duty  we  owe 
to  your  children  in  Michigan  as  well  as  to  yourself  to  veto 
this  imprudent  step." 

"Your  veto  is  worthless,"  I  said,  "unless  you  will  go 
with  this  load  to  those  twenty  perishing  families  out  in  the 
open  field  in  this  pelting  storm." 

"I  know  it's  awful,  but  what  will  they  do  if  you  die?" 

"I  will  trust  the  Lord  for  my  preservation.  Unless 
some  one  goes  with  this  load  I  must  go." 

"I  dare  not  go;  but  Mr.  Thorn  said  if  I  could  not  hin- 
der your  going  to  tell  you  to  drive  up  to  our  store  and  he 
would  put  twenty  new  army  blankets  on  your  load." 

"All  right,"  I  said.  "Driver,  go  up  to  that  store  for 
those  blankets." 

Soon  we  had  an  addition  to  our  load  that  more  than 
ever  resembled  a  load  of  hay,  and  myself  buried  in  it  to 


290  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-.WORK. 

armpits,  as  I  chose  to  keep  my  arms  out  in  case  of  tipping 
over.  Here  came  brother  Reed,  one  of  the  teachers,  offer- 
ing to  aid  me ;  but  he  had  no  pass  or  transportation,  and 
no  time  to  get  it.  I  called  the  attention  of  a  passing 
general  to  my  necessity  for  help,  to  be  able  to  return 
before  the  firing  of  the  sundown  gun.  He  said  if  he  was 
in  command  he  would  allow  him  to  go  with  my  load,  and 
advised  him  to  try  it.  On  we  hastened,  but  met  an  ambu- 
lance that  Captain  Howe  had  sent  to  the  new  camp  for  a 
sick  woman  with  two  small  children.  It  was  obliged  to 
return,  not  being  able  to  pass  through  the  lines,  as  the 
provost  marshal  was  not  to  be  found.  The  supposition 
was  very  strong  that  the  lines  were  closed,  as  it  was  the 
weakest  point  in  the  post,  and  the  smoke  of  rebel  fires  was 
in  sight  on  Lake  Concordia.  A  battle  had  been  fought 
a  few  days  before,  and  another  attack  was  daily  threatened. 
The  driver  and  brother  Reed  were  doubting  the  propriety 
of  crossing  the  river.  "For  if  the  lines  are  closed,"  they 
said,  "  the  President  himself  would  not  be  permitted  to 
pass."  But  I  told  them  as  they  did  not  positively  know 
that  the  lines  were  closed,  we  had  better  cross. 

"It  is  your  load,  and  if  you  say  go  we  shall  go,"  said 
brother  Reed. 

"I  say  go,"  was  my  decision. 

Soon  we  were  in  front  of  the  provost  marshal's  office. 
But  he  was  not  there,  and  no  one  knew  where  he  was. 
•After  a  long  search,  in  accordance  with  my  plea,  some  of 
the  guards  discovered  and  brought  him  back,  reeling,  with 
his  head  of  long  hair  thoroughly  decorated  with  feathers 
and  straws.  I  met  him  in  his  office  and  read  to  him  my 
papers,  holding  them  before  his  face  as  I  would  exhibit  a 
picture  to  a  two-year  old  baby.  After  explaining  all,  I 
made  my  request  to  pass  his  lines  with  my  load  of  supplies. 

"Who— who's  there?" 

I  told  him  who  he  was  that  so  kindly  offered  to  aid  me 
in  disbursing  these  supplies  just  as  I  was  starting;  and  that 


SUFFERING    AT    CAMP.  291 

a  general  advised  me  to  take  him  with  my  load,  as  he 
would  pass  him,  if  in  command. 

"Well,  well,  I  don'  — don't  —  li-like — this — whole  — 
whole-sa-sale  business." 

But  I  pleaded  for  those  suffering  women  and  children 
with  all  the  politeness  I  was  capable  of  mastering,  with 
disgust  boiling  over.  With  stuttering  and  mumbling  his 
dislikes,  and  shaking  his  head,  with  the  feathers  and  straws 
waving  and  nodding  in  every  direction,  he  took  his  pen 
and  scribbled  a  pass  that  was  difficult  to  decipher.  The 
next  line  of  guards  hardly  knew  what  to  do  with  it  until 
I  told  them  the  provost  marshal  was  drunk. 

"O,  yes,  and  it's  no  new  trick;  go  on." 

And  without  further  difficulty  we  reached  the  group  of 
sufferers,  who  were  shivering  as  if  in  an  ague  fit.  I  threw 
to  each  family  two  blankets  or  quilts,  and  more  than  forty 
children  were  crawling  between  them  within  three  minutes. 
I  gave  to  each  of  those  twenty  women  a  suit  of  men's 
clothing  that  day  to  help  them  out  of  this  intense  suffering. 
I  gave  them  also  three  rag-carpet  blankets  out  of  the  four 
that  were  sent  me  by  a  woman  who  took  up  a  new  rag- 
carpet  she  had  just  put  down,  and  cut  it  into  four  pieces 
after  listening  to  the  recital  of  the  great 'suffering  in  these 
camps.  She  sjiid  she  should  put  no  more  carpets  on  her 
floor  as  long  as  the  war  lasted. 

Although  I  had  seen* so  many  marks  of  cruelty  among 
these  people,  yet  I  said  to  myself,  O  that  these  poor  people 
had  remained  in  their  old  homes  a  little  longer!  Surely 
they  can  not  suffer  there  like  this.  A  little  girl  came  for 
me  to  go  to  the  old  blacksmith-shop  used  as  a  temporary 
hospital,  as  her  mother  thought  her  brother  was  dying, 
and  another  brother  was  very  sick.  I  entered  that  shop, 
and  listened  to  the  groans  of  the  dying.  I  repeated  to 
myself,  O  that  they  had  waited  a  little  longer !  Four  men 
and  the  little  son  of  the  distressed  mother  that  sent  for 
me  were  evidently  dying,  and  four  others  were  sick  with 


292  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

pneumonia.  The  mother  of  these  two  sick  boys  was  doing 
all  she  could  for  them  all.  I  gave  her  ground  mustard  to 
make  poultices,  and  ginger  for  those  who  had  chills,  and 
told  her  how  to  use  them.  I  had  a  few  pounds  of  each, 
and  generally  took  a  little  package  with  me,  especially 
after  a  storm.  This  miserable  shelter  leaked  but  little, 
but  one  side  and  one  end  were  so  open  that  we  could  throw 
a  hat  through  the  wall. 

I  saw  a  pile  of  irons  by  the  door.  Placing  my  foot  on 
a  queer  double-jointed  ring,  I  said : 

"  I  wonder  what  that  queer  sort  of  a  ring  could  have 
been  used  for,"  looking  toward  the  old  dilapidated  cotton- 
gin  near  by. 

"  That 's  a  neck-iron,"  said  an  old  woman  standing 
near  me. 

"A  neck-iron!     What  do  you  mean?" 

"  Why,  it 's  an  iron  collar  to  wear  on  the  neck." 

"But  you  are  certainly  mistaken,"  said  I,  picking  it 
up  ;  "  you  see  these  joints  are  riveted  with  iron  as  large  as 
my  finger,  and  it  could  never  be  taken  off  over  one's  head." 

"But  we  knows;  dat's  Uncle  Tim's  collar.  An'  he 
crawled  off  in  dat  fence -corner,"  pointing  to  the  spot, 
"an'  died  thar ,  1m'  Massa  George  had  his  head  cut  off  to 
get  de  iron  off." 

"  Is  it  possible  for  a  human  being  to  become  so  brutal 
as  to  cut  a  man's  head  off  when  lie  is  dead?" 

She  looked  as  if  she  thought  I  doubted  her  word,  and 
said :  "It  did  n't  hurt  Uncle  Tim  when  he  was  dead  as 
it  did  when  de  iron  wore  big  sores  way  down  to  de  bone, 
and  da  got  full  o'  worms  afore  he  died.  His  neck  an'  head 
all  swell  up,  an'  he  prayed  many,  many  prayers  to  God  to 
come  and  take  him  out  his  misery." 

"  How  long  did  he  wear  it?" 

"  'Bout  two  years." 

"Two  years!  It  is  impossible  for  any  one  to  live  that 
length  of  time  with  this  rough  heavy  iron." 


SLAVE  IRONS  (IN  POSSESSION  OF  THE  MJYHOR). 


20 


SL.AVE-IRON8.  293 

"  We  work  two  seasons,  any  how,  over  in  dat  cotton- 
fiel',"  pointing  to  the  two-hundred-acre  cotton-field  at  our 
right. 

I  took  up  another  iron,  and  inquired,  "  What  sort  of 
an  iron  is  this?" 

"A  knee-stiifener,  to  w'ar  on  de  leg  to  keep  'em  from 
runniii'  off  in  dat  swamp,"  pointing  to  the  dark  swamp 
bordering  Lake  Concordia,  so  fully  draped  with  long  South- 
ern moss  that  in  many  places  in  it  nothing  could  be  dis- 
covered three  feet  in  the  thicket. 

I  went  to  the  rear  of  the  shop,  with  the  ring  under 
my  shawl.  Here  stood  a  dozen  or  more  of  old  and  crip- 
pled men  and  women. 

"Did  any  of  this  company,"  I  asked,  "live  on  this 
plantation  before  the  war?" 

"  Yes,  missus,  six  of  us  live  here.    I  live  here  seven  year." 

I  drew  out  the  collar,  and  asked  if  any  one  could  tell 
me  what  that  was.  One  looked  at  another,  and  asked 
where  I  found  it. 

"  In  that  pile  of  irons  by  the  door,"  I  replied. 

One  said,  in  a  low  tone,  "Dat's  Uncle  Tim's  collar." 

"  Yes,  missus,  dat  is  iron  collar  to  wear  on  de  neck." 

"  But  you  see  it  is  fastened  with  heavy  iron  rivets." 

"  Yes,  de  way  you  see  it  is  'case  Massa  George  Ralston 
order  Uncle  Tim's  headcut  off  to  get  de  collar." 

"I  want  this  collar,  I  said,  "and  another  heavy  iron 
a  woman  called  a  knee-stiffener.  This  plantation  is  con- 
fiscated, and  these  irons  belong  to  you  as  much  as  to  any 
body.  Will  you  give  them  to  me?" 

Each  seemed  to  wait  for  the  others  to  speak,  but  the 
one  to  whom  I  had  mostly  directed  my  conversation  at 
length  replied : 

"I  reckon  you  can  have  'em;  for  we's  had  all  we 
wants  ov  'em." 

"  I  thank  you ;  and  if  you  can  find  any  other  slave-irons 
in  that  pile  I  wish  you  would  pick  them  out  for  me  to 


294  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

take  home  to  Michigan,  to  show  what  sort  of  jewelry  the 
colored  people  had  to  wear  down  here." 

They  turned  over  the  heap,  aud  foimd  iron  horns, 
hand-cuffs,  etc. ,  and  explained  how  they  were  worn.  They 
showed  me  also  where  the  iron  rod  upon  which  was  sus- 
pended a  bell  was  cut  off  of  Uncle  Tim's  collar. 

Among  the  group  was  a  crippled  man  walking  with  two 
canes,  clad  in  tattered  cotton  clothes,  that  were  hanging  in 
frozen  strings  from  his  arms  like  icicles.  I  selected  a  whole 
suit  for  him,  and  a  soldier's  overcoat.  He  stepped  in  the 
rear  of  a  cabin  and  changed,  and  came  to  me  weeping. 

"  I  come  to  show  you,"  he  said ;  "dis  is  de  best  dressiu' 
I's  ever  had  in  my  life.  An'  I  thanks  you,  an'  praise  God." 

As  we  were  standing  on  the  bank  of  the  river  waiting 
for  the  return  of  the  ferry  on  her  last  trip  that  day,  there 
were  thirty  or  forty  men  waiting,  who  by  their  favorite 
gray  appeared  to  be  rebel  citizens ;  but  our  many  bristling 
bayonets  kept  them  in  subjection.  The  ferry  soon  took  us 
over  the  river,  and  we  were  within  our  post  before  the 
sundown  gun  was  fired. 

As  I  had  brought  the  sick  woman  and  two  little  chil- 
dren that  Captain  Howe  had  sent  his  ambulance  for  in  the 
morning,  in  our  wagon,  I  must  go  to  his  hospital  with 
them.  This  made  us  so  late  that  the  guard  said  I  could  not 
be  allowed  to  enter  the  camp  without  a  permit  from  the 
officer  of  the  night.  I  told  him  where  I  had  been  all  day 
without  a  fire ;  and  as  he  knew  the  storm  had  continued 
until  late  in  the  afternoon,  aud  this  sick  woman  whom  the 
captain  had  sent  for  could  not  get  through  the  lines  in  the 
morning,  I  hoped  he  would  read  my  papers.  He  held  up 
his  lantern  to  see  them  ;  but  as  soon  as  he  caught  sight  of 
my  old  portfolio  he  said,  "Go  on,  I  know  who  you  are; 
I've  seen  that  before."  I  was  permitted  to  leave  my  sick 
family  in  the  hospital,  and  drove  the  two  miles  to  our 
head -quarters  by  eight  o'clock.  Although  very  much 
chilled,  I  felt  relieved,  notwithstanding  I  had  witnessed 


REBEL  REGIMENT  BROUGHT  IN.  295 

euch  scenes  of  suffering  and  dying  during  that  event- 
ful day. 

One  morning  the  little  drummer -boy  of  twelve  years 
of  age  marched  into  camp  with  seven  men  that  he  had 
taken  prisoners,  ragged  and  almost  barefooted.  The  suf- 
fering men  were  glad  to  find  comfortable  quarters.  Occa- 
sionally we  found  them  tamely  submitting  to  be  taken,  on 
account  of  their  sufferings  for  want  of  food  and  clothing. 
One  entire  company,  who  suffered  themselves  to  be  cap- 
tured, told  our  officers  if  they  would  allow  them  to  wear 
out  of  sight  some  sort  of  a  Union  mark,  so  as  not  to 
meet  with  trouble  from  our .  soldiers,  they  would  go  and 
bring  in  their  entire  regiment,  as  they  all  wanted  to  come 
into  our  lines.  They  were  furnished  with  a  badge  of  na- 
tional colors  to  wear  under  their  coats.  Soon  the  whole 
regiment  were  with  us.  One  of  our  officers  said  they  were 
among  our  most  efficient  helps.  One  of  them  told  me  if 
they  had  known  the  real  object  of  the  war  they  would 
never  have  gone  into  it ;  for  more  than  half  of  them  had 
never  owned  a  slave,  and  those  who  did  were  better  off 
without  them.  They  were  surprised  to  find  an  abundance 
of  supplies.  They  had  always  been  told  that  all  the  dif- 
ference between  the  Northern  people  and  their  slaves  was 
the  color  of  their  skin. 

There  was  great  excitement  during  the  last  presiden- 
tial campaign.  The  slave  passed  through  terrible  experi- 
ences during  1860-61.  It  seemed  to  be  accepted  as  a 
settled  fact,  that  if  Lincoln  was  elected  it  would  result  in 
war;  and  in  many  places  regular  drills  were  instituted. 
In  Natchez  the  half-grown  slave  boys  got  together  on  Sun- 
day afternoons,  and  drilled  with  sticks  for  guns.  At  first 
it  attracted  no  particular  attention,  and  the  boys  became 
as  expert  in  handling  their  stick  guns  as  were  their  masters. 
Two  slave  men  were  overheard  repeating  what  their  mas- 
ter said,  that  if  Lincoln  was  elected  he  would  free  all  the 
slaves,  for  he  was  a  Black  Republican ;  and  they  declared  that 


296  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

if  this  was  true  they  would  go  to  the  Yankees  and  help  to 
free  their  nation.  This  talk  was  sufficient  to  raise  the  re- 
port of  an  insurrection  throughout  all  that  part  of  the 
State,  and  a  large  vigilance  committee  was  organized  to 
meet  once  a  week  and  report  what  they  might  hear  by 
listening  outside  the  negro  cabins.  All  slave  men  or  boys 
who  were  overheard  to  pray  for  freedom,  or  to  say  any 
thing  indicating  a  desire  to  be  free,  were  marked ;  and  in 
the  discussions  of  this  large  committee  of  a  hundred  men, 
every  thing  that  had  occurred  during  a  few  years  past,  in 
efforts  among  the  slaves  to  learn  to  read  and  write,  was 
magnified  and  construed  as  pointing  toward  a  long  and  set- 
tled purpose  among  the  slaves  to  rise  in  insurrection.  A 
majority  of  this  committee  decided  by  whipping  and  other  tor- 
ture to  compel  confessions  from  all  these  marked  slaves,  and 
then  to  hang  them.  A  number  of  the  committee  resigned 
because  they  would  not  consent  to  these  severe  measures. 
Many  negroes  were  dragged  out  of  their  cabins  or  yards 
without  knowing  the  cause,  stripped,  tied  to  the  whipping- 
post or  taken  to  the  calaboose,  and  given  as  many  lashes 
as  could  be  endured.  At  the  close  of  each  whipping  the  suf- 
ferer was  called  upon  to  make  a  full  revelation  of  every  sen- 
tence that  he  or  she  had  heard  in  favor  of  liberty,  or  of  the 
Yankees,  among  their  people,  either  in  conversation  or 
prayer,  and  by  whom,  with  a  promise  to  be  released  from 
further  punishment.  Never  was  one  released,  but  on  Sat- 
urday generally  ten  or  twelve  of  these  sufferers  were  thrown 
into  a  wagon  and  conveyed  to  the  gallows,  where  they 
were  placed  in  a  row,  and  all  were  hanged  at  the  same 
instant. 

Some  hundreds  were  thus  hanged  in  the  edge  of  the 
city,  and  on  an  adjoining  plantation.  I  carefully  investi- 
gated the  facts,  and  gathered  the  following  statement  from* 
both  white  and  colored  citizens.  I  have  good  reasons  for 
placing  entire  confidence  in  its  correctness.  A  large  num- 
ber of  slaves  were  hanged",  owned  by  the  following  persons : 


NEGROES    HANGED.  297 

Frank  Susetts,  26 ;  James  Susetts,  7 ;  Dr.  Stanton,  8 ; 
Dr.  Moseby,  26 ;  widow  Albert  Dunbar,  48 ;  Mrs.  Brady, 
12;  widow  E.  Baker,  28;  Mrs.  Alexander,  16;  Dr.  George 
Baldwin,  8;  Stephen  Odell,  5;  G.  Grafton,  5;  James 
Brown,  3;  Mr.  Marshall,  1;  Mr.  Robinson,  2;  Melon  Da- 
vis, 1 ;  widow  Absalom  Sharp,  3 ;  Miss  Mary  Dtinbar,  3 ; 
Joseph  Reynolds,  2;  Baker  Robinson,  3;  Lee  Marshall, 
whipped  to  death  1 ;  Mrs.  Chase,  whipped  to  death  1 ;  a 
total  of  209. 

I  was  told  by  a  number  of  persons,  both  white  and 
colored,  that  there  were  over  four  hundred  tortured  to 
death  in  this  reign  of  terror,  before  Natchez  fell  into  Union 
hands,  but  I  put  in  my  diary  only  such  as  I  found  were 
proven  to  be  facts. 

Miss  Mary  Dunbar  was  very  much  distressed  over  the 
loss  of  one  of  her  three  slaves  who  were  hanged,  and  of- 
fered the  vigilance  committee  ten  thousand  dollars  for  his 
release,  but  to  no  purpose.  Joseph  Reynolds  also  offered 
the  committee  $100,000  for  the  release  of  his  two,  but  was 
denied.  One  little  boy  of  twelve  years  of  age  was  taken  to 
the  calaboose  and  whipped,  then  taken  with  the  wagon-load 
of  other  victims  of  their  unrelenting  cruelty  to  the  scaffold, 
followed  by  his  mother  in  wild  despair,  praying  as  she  went 
through  the  streets,  tossing  her  hands  upward:  "O,  God, 
save  my  poor  boy !  O,  Jesus  Master,  pity  my  poor  child ! 
O,  Savior,  look  down  upon  my  poor  baby ! "  The  woman 
who  went  with  her  to  the  scaffold  said  she  cried  these 
words  over  and  over;  "and  when  we  got  there,"  she  said, 
"  she  fell  on  her  knees  before  the  head  man,  and  begged 
for  the  life  of  her  baby.  But  he  kicked  her  on  her  head, 
and  cursed  her,  and  told  her  the  boy  had  got  to  die.  The 
boy  exhorted  his  mother  not  to  grieve  so  for  him,  '  for  I'm 
going  to  Jesus ;  meet  me  in  heaven ; '  and  he,  with  eleven 
others,  were  swung  off.  The  mother  cried  out,  '  Oh,  my 
God!  my  poor  son! 'and  fainted."  So  perfect  was  this 
reign  of  terror  that  not  even  slave-owners,  in  many  cases, 


298  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

dared  to  protest  against  this  wholesale  butchery.  The  re- 
peated whippings  mangled  the  bodies  of  many  so  badly 
that  they  were  taken  to  the  gallows  in  a  dying  state.  One 
man  died  while  being  taken  upon  the  scaffold ;  his  sides 
were  cut  through  to  the  entrails,  and  even  a  part  of  them 
protruded.  I  visited  the  calaboose,  which  had  two  apart- 
ments. The  first  entrance  was  large  enough  for  two  per- 
sons to  be  fastened  to  the  strong  iron  staples.  There  was 
room  for  two  men  to  each  victim,  one  on  each  side,  who, 
seated  on  a  stool,  could  alternate  the  strokes  upon  the 
writhing  sufferer.  The  floor  of  this  calaboose  was  of  hard 
wood,  but  it  was  so  thoroughly  stained  with  human  gore 
that  the  grain  of  the  wood  could  not  be  distinguished.  Into 
the  second  room  not  a  ray  of  light  entered  except  on  open- 
ing the  middle  door. 

Frank  Susetts  was  a  millionaire  in  the  city  of  Baton 
Rouge,  Louisiana,  and  made  his  boast  that  he  had  no  fear 
of  Yankees,  for  he  had  gold  enough  to  cover  his  front 
walk  from  the  door  to  the  gate,  and  could  buy  up  any 
Yankee  who  might  attempt  to  trouble  him.  "There  are 
two  things,"  he  said,  "they  can  never  do:  First,  make  me 
poor ;  second,  make  me  take  the  oath  of  allegiance."  He 
owned  nine  plantations,  besides  very  much  city  property. 
Though  hundreds  of  his  slaves  had  left  him,  he  felt  himself 
secure  in  the  abundance  of  his  wealth.  The  government 
engineer,  who  had  been  casting  about  for  the  best  place  to 
locate  a  fort,  had  been  looking  over  Frank  Susetts's  place 
and  said  it  was  the  most  elevated  and  desirable  location  he 
had  found  in  the  city,  but  he  rather  hesitated  because  of 
the  magnificent  buildings  it  would  destroy.  When  Susetts's 
independent  words  reached  his  ear  he  at  once  decided,  and 
took  his  men  the  second  time  to  look  over  the  ground. 
Standing  near  the  palatial  mansion,  and  within  hearing  of 
the  owner,  he  said  to  his  men,  "Yes,  yes,  this  is  the  place 
for  our  fort." 

Frank    Susetts    approached    him    with    the    offer    of 


THE    TABLES    TURNED.  299 

v 

thirty   thousand    dollars   in    gold   if   he   would  spare   his 
place. 

"I  can  not  accept  it,  sir,"  said  the  engineer. 

"I  will  give  you  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  gold  if  you 
will  save  it.  It  cost  me  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
thousand  dollars  to  build  this  house  and  the  out-houses." 

"Should  you  offer  all  that  you  say  it  cost  you,  it  would 
he  of  no  consequence.  We  give  you  ten  days  to  take  away 
every  thing  movable  from  your  premises,  for  this  house 
will  then  be  destroyed  to  make  room  for  the  fort.  This  is 
the  site  we  have  selected." 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  set,  it  was  in  flames. 
Frank  Susetts  and  wife  stood  a  block  distant  weeping. 
Two  of  their  former  slaves  were  looking  at  the  con- 
flagration. 

"Ah,"  said  one,  "a  little  while  ago  it  was  massa  Susetts's 
time,  when  he  had  so  many  of  our  people  hung;  now  it  is 
God's  time.  Praise  de  Lo'd,  he's  here  to-day  for  sure. 
Glory  to  Jesus,  massa  Susetts's  day  is  over;  he  can  never 
have  any  more  of  our  people  hung." 

It  was  now  the  21st  day  of  March,  1864.  Many  com- 
plained of  these  turned  tables.  Judge  Bullock  remarked 
that  he  could  n't '  even  go  to  meeting  without  a  "pass;" 
just  what  used  to  be  required  of  the  six  thousand  freed 
slaves  who  were  then  in  this  city  of  refuge.  Painters  were 
seen  in  various  parts  of  the  city  dexterously  using  their 
brushes  in  wiping  out  standing  advertisements  for  the  sales 
of  slaves.  I  saw  a  number  of  these  whitewashed  signs.  In 
some  cases  the  paint  was  too  thin  to  hide  them.  "Slaves, 
horses,  mules,  cattle,  plantation  utensils  sold  on  reasonable 
terms."  They  knew  these  advertisements  were  not  agree- 
able to  Northern  eyes.  But  I  fear  the  covering  of  many 
of  these  hearts  was  as  frail  as  the  thin  whitewashing  over 
these  advertisements. 

On  the  Ralston  plantation  we  visited  families,  gave 
tickets,  and  directed  them  to  meet  us  at  the  place  and  hour 


300  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

appointed.  Hundreds  in  squalid  wretchedness  were  sup- 
plied. The  following  day,  in  the  afternoon,  all  orphan 
children  were  to  meet  us.  One  hundred  and  twenty-two 
ragged  children  came.  We  placed  them  in  two  rows,  the 
boys  on  one  side  and  the  girls  on  the  other.  Selecting 
each  an  assistant,  we  commenced  measuring  and  distribut- 
ing, keeping  them  all  standing  in  their  respective  places 
until  we  had  given  every  one  something,  but  yet  too  little 
to  meet  their  necessary  wants.  There  were  at  that  time 
twenty-seven  teachers  and  missionaries  in  the  city  repre- 
senting nine  States.  Six  day-schools  and  three  night-schools 
were  established  by  them.  Two  other  schools  were  taught 
by  colored  teachers;  one  of  these  was  a  slave  woman,  who 
had  taught  a  midnight  school  for  years.  It  was  opened  at 
eleven  or  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  and  closed  at  two  o'clock 
A.  M.  Every  window  and  door  was  carefully  closed  to 
prevent  discovery.  In  that  little  school  hundreds  of  slaves 
learned  to  read  and  write  a  legible  hand.  After  toiling  all 
day  for  their  masters  they  crept  stealthily  into  this  back 
alley,  each  with  a  bundle  of  pitch-pine  splinters  for  lights. 
Milla  Gransou,  the  teacher,  learned  to  read  and  write  from 
the  children  of  her  indulgent  master  in  her  old  Kentucky 
home.  Her  number  of  scholars  was  twelve  at  a  time, 
and  when  she  had  taught  these  to  read  and  write  she 
dismissed  them,  and  again  took  her  apostolic  number  and 
brought  them  up  to  the  extent  of  her  ability,  until  she  had 
graduated  hundreds.  A  number  of  them  wrote  their  own 
passes  and  started  for  Canada,  and  she  supposes  succeeded, 
as  they  were  never  heard  from.  She  was  sold  after  her 
master's  death,  and  brought  to  Mississippi,  and  placed  on  a 
plantation  as  a  field-hand ;  but,  not  being  used  to  field-work, 
she  found  it  impossible  to  keep  up  with  the  old  hands,  and 
the  overseer  whipped  her  severely. 

"  O,  how  I  longed  to  die!"  she  told  me;  "and  some- 
times I  thought  I  would  die  from  such  cruel  whippings 
upon  my  bared  body.  O,  what  a  vale  of  tears  this  was 


SLAVES'  NIGHT-SCHOOL.  301 

for  poor  me !  But  one  thing  kept  me  from  sinking,  and 
that  was  the  presence  of  my  dear  Savior." 

Her  health  so  far  gave  way  that  she  reeled  with  weak- 
ness as  she  went  to  and  from  her  work ;  and  her  master 
saw  she  was  failing,  and  gave  her  permission  to  go  into  the 
kitchen  a  part  of  the  time. 

"O,  how  thankful  I  was,"  she  went  on,  "for  this 
promotion !  and  I  worked  as  hard  to  keep  it  as  any  Con- 
gressman could  work  for  some  high  office." 

At  length  her  night-school  project  leaked  out,  and  was 
for  a  time  suspended ;  but  it  was  not  known  that  seven  of  the 
twelve  years  since  leaving  Kentucky  had  been  spent  in 
this  work.  Much  excitement  over  her  night-school  was 
produced.  The  subject  was  discussed  in  their  legislature, 
and  a  bill  was  passed,  that  it  should  not  be  held  illegal  for 
a  slave  to  teach  a  slave. 

"  All  this  time,"  said  this  dear  woman,  "  I  constantly 
prayed  that  God  would  overrule  this  to  his  own  glory,  and 
not  allow  those  I  had  taught  to  read  his  Word  to  suffer,  as 
we  had  been  threatened.  I  can  not  tell  you  how  my  heart 
leaped  with  praise  to  God  when  a  gentleman  called  to  me 
one  day  on  the  street,  and  said  he  would  inform  me  that 
I  could  teach  my  midnight  school  if  I  chose,  as  they  found 
no  law  against  a  slave  teaching  a  slave." 

This  was  accepted  by  that  trembling  teacher  and  scholars 
as  a  direct  answer  to  prayer.  She  not  only  opened  her 
night-school,  but  a  Sabbath-school.  I  found  more  intelli- 
gence among  the  colored  residents  of  this  city  than  any 
other  Southern  city  I  had  visited.  Milla  Granson  used  as 
good  language  as  auy  of  the  white  people. 

We  found  many  little  incidents  to  cheer  in  all  our 
rounds  of  pitiable  scenes  of  sorrow.  We  sometimes  met 
men  and  women  among  these  Southerners  of  correct  views 
en  secession.  One  man  said  he  never  believed  that  slavery 
was  right ;  all  the  arguments  brought  forward  in  its  favor 
never  convinced  him.  Although  he  held  a  fe,w  slaves  by 


302  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

inheritance,  he  never  could  buy  or  sell  one.  His  black 
people  remained  with  him,  and  he  paid  them  wages  now 
that  they  were  free  by  law,  and  he  was  glad  of  it.  As  he 
was  nearly  sixty  years  of  age  he  had  managed  to  keep  out 
of  the  army,  but  had  to  keep  quiet  on  the  subject  of  seces- 
sion. From  the  first  he  thought  it  the  height  of  folly  to 
resort  to  arms,  as  the  Lord  could  not  prosper  their  under- 
taking. 1  believe  that  man  was  a  conscientious  Christian ; 
very  different  in  spirit  from  Judge  Bullock,  who  said  one 
day  in  rather  a  careless  mood,  "  I  think  you  have  one  class 
of  men  in  your  North  the  "most  despicable  I  ever  knew." 
Now,  thought  I,  we  abolitionists  are  going  to  take  a  bless- 
ing. "Who  are  they?"  I  asked.  "They  are  that  class 
you  call  Copperheads.  They  are  too  dastardly  to  come 
down  here  and  help  us  fight,  and  they  are  too  pusillani- 
mous to  fight  for  their  own  side." 

Our  daily  work  was  very  wearisome,  having  to  walk 
from  four  to  six  miles  each  day.  Fresh  arrivals  daily  re- 
quired our  attention,  and  after  wind  or  rain  pneumonia 
and  deaths  were  frequent.  Bible-reading  and  prayer  were 
also  a  part  of  our  mission.  One  day,  while  sister  Backus 
was  opening  barrels  and  boxes,  and  sorting  and  arranging 
their  contents  in  our  store,  I  went  with  a  load,  in  a  re- 
cently confiscated  stage-coach  drawn  by  mules.  One  of 
the  mules  the  colonel  said  he  was  afraid  to  allow  me  to 
ride  after ;  but  I  thought  a  little  mule  could  do  but  little 
harm,  with  the  experienced  driver,  aud  I  ventured  the  ride, 
taking  in  a  poor  crippled  man  on  the  way,  who  was  just 
coming  into  camp.  He  was  clad  in  a  few  cotton  rags  that 
he  had  patched  with  old  stocking-tops  and  bits  of  old  tent- 
cloth,  to  hold  them  together,  and  it  was  impossible  to  de- 
tect the  original  fabric.  In  passing  down  the  "Paradise 
Road"  to  the  camp  in  Natchez-uuder-the-Hill,  the  unruly 
mule  pranced,  kicked,  and  reared,  until  both  of  them  be- 
came unmanageable,  and  the  dust  rolled  up  a  thick  cloud, 
hiding  the  way  before  us,  as  well  as  the  galloping  mules. 


ACCIDENT.  303 

I  believed  that  we  should  turn  over  at  the  short  curve 
near  the  base  of  the  hill,  where  was  a  number  of  large 
stumps ;  and  that  if  we  should  strike  one  of  them  we  should 
be  dashed  in  pieces.  But  prayer  for  a  guiding  hand  seemed 
in  a  moment  to  bring  relief.  We  were  overturned  amid 
stumps,  and  were  dragged  a  few  rods  on  the  side  of  the 
coach,  when  the  canvas  covering  was  detached  from  the 
wheels.  Our  driver  was  dragged  a  few  rods  farther,  while 
the  crippled  man  and  myself  were  doing  our  best  to  crawl 
from  under  the  canvas.  By  this  time  fifteen  or  twenty 
men  reached  us.  I  was  out  and  hauling  the  canvas  off 
the  groaning  man,  whose  head  and  face  were  covered  with 
blood.  I  told  one  of  the  men  to  run  for  a  pail  of  water, 
for  I  thought  the  poor  man  must  be  dying. 

"  O,  no,  it's  all  right, — it'll  make  me  a  better  man," 
said  he,  while  catching  his  breath,  and  wiping  the  blood 
from  his  mouth. 

"  You  had  better  sit  down  yourself;  you  are  badly  hurt," 
said  one  of  the  men. 

"  O  no,  I  am  not  hurt,"  was  my  reply. 

But  as  I  was  getting  a  little  child's  shirt  ready  for  the  men 
to  wash  the  crippled  man's  head,  I  found  the  front  breadth 
of  my  dress  torn  across,  and  I  had  to  throw  back  my  bon- 
net to  see;  but  I  knew  my  limbs  were  all  sound.  Al- 
though it  seemed  as  if  we  had  turned  many  somersaults  in 
a  second,  yet  I  never  felt  more  vigorous.  I  knew  the  sur- 
geon of  that  camp  was  within  a  few  rods  of  us,  and  re- 
quested some  one  to  go.  for  him  to  care  for  my  comrade. 
I  saw  a  man  carefully  washing  out  the  large  gashes  on  his 
head,  and  I  left  for  the  surgeon,  holding  my  torn  dress- 
skirt  in  my  hand.  Just  as  I  reached  his  office  he  was 
jumping  on  his  horse,  starting  for  me.  He  exclaimed  in 
surprise,  "Why,  Mrs.  Haviland!  I 've  just  this  moment 
got  the  word  that  you  were  nearly  killed,  and  I  was  going 
to  see  you." 

"I  am  all  right,"  I  said;  "but  I  wish  you  would  go 


304  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  see  to  that  crippled  man,  for  I  am  afraid  he  is  nearly 
killed." 

"Very  well,  but  I  shall  look  after  you  first." 

By  this  time  he  was  handling  my  arms,  and  pressing 
here  and  there  on  my  body,  I  thought  pretty  harshly;  for 
he  either  found  or  made  some  sore  places.  He  ordered  his 
ambulance,  in  which  I  was  taken  to  head-quarters.  As  I 
was  badly  bruised,  the  surgeon  urged  me  to  take  morphine. 
I  was  sure  of  not  needing  it,  but  promised  to  call  for  it  if 
needed,  and  he  allowed  me  to  go  without  it.  I  found  my- 
self too  lame  to  resume  work  for  a  couple  of  days ;  then  I 
commenced  again  moderately,  but  carried  marks  of  bruised 
flesh  for  a  mouth  or  more. 

About  two  weeks  after  -this,  while  investigating  a  new 
arrival  of  a  company  of  slaves,  I  learned  that  some  of 
them  were  shot  by  their  pursuing  masters,  and  one  woman's 
babe  was  instantly  killed  in  its  mother's  arms;  but  the 
mother  succeeded  in  passing  into  our  lines,  with  her  dead 
child  in  her  arms,  to  be  buried,  as  she  said,  "free"  A 
woman  and  a  little  boy  of  three  years,  with  dresses  torn 
with  briers  to  shreds,  and  feet  and  limbs  swollen  and 
bleeding  with  scratches,  came  in,  from  whom  I  was  getting 
her  sad  history.  Two  gentlemen  passing  by,  halted,  and 
said  one : 

"This  looks  as  if  these  would  have  been  much  better 
off  at  their  old  homes.  Do  n't  you  think  so  ?" 

"I  think  this  picture  shows  great  effort  iu  escaping 
from  their  old  home,"  I  replied. 

"  Do  you  live  here  ?" 

"  I  am  only  a  temporary  resident  here.  My  home  is 
in  Michigan." 

"May  I  ask  your  name?" 

I  gave  it,  and  he  continued : 

"And  so  am  I  from  Michigan.  I've  heard  ot  you  be- 
fore. I  thought  this  was  some  good  Samaritan,"  giving 
his  hand  for  a  hearty  shake. 


A  POMPOUS  GENERAL.  305 

"And  who  is  this?"  I  asked. 

"  I  'm  Dr.  ,  from  one  of  our  Michigan  cities. 

And  what  are  you  doing  here?" 

"  I  am  doing  just  the  work  you  see  before  us." 

"  Yes,  and  I  saw  a  span  of  mules  trying  their  best  to 
kill  her  two  weeks  ago,  when  they  came  sailing  down  that 
Paradise  Road  up  yonder ;  but  they  eould  n't  do  it,"  said 
his  guide. 

I  asked  him  what  he  was  doing.  He  said  he  had  just 
come  to  see  if  there  was  any  thing  he  could  do.  I  told 
him  of  the  new  camp  on  the  Ralston  plantation,  and  of 
this  camp  of  four  thousand.  I  hoped  he  would  look 
after  these,  as  we  proposed  to  leave  soon  for  other  fields 
of  labor  below. 

On  March  24,  1864,  I  took  letters  to  post-office,  and 
found  one  from  our  dear  friend,  Addie  Johnson,  assistant 
matron  of  Soldiers'  Home,  in  Columbus,  Kentucky.  I 
went  to  General  Tuttle  for  an  order  for  transportation  to 
Baton  Rouge,  and,  as  usual,  introduced  myself  by  handing 
my  official  papers.  Being  a  very  large  man,  he  was  in 
proportion  consequential. 

"What  do  you  want?" 

I  told  him  I  would  like  transportation  to  Baton  Rouge. 

"I  don't  know,"  he  said,  "  that  I  am  here  to  make 
the  Government  a  great  benevolent  society,  by  giving  every 
thoroughly  loyal  and  earnest  Christian  man  or  woman 
transportation." 

"  Is  there  not  an  order,"  I  replied,  "  from  Adjutant- 
general  Thomas,  granting  us  transportation,  rations,  and 
quarters  ?" 

"  I  have  received  no  such  order  personally." 

I  bade  him  good  morning,  and  left  his  office,  fully  de- 
termined to  bring  him  an  order,  although  I  knew  he  must 
have  seen  one.  My  purpose  was  to  take  the  first  boat  to 
Vicksburg,  as  General  Thomas  was  then  in  that  city,  to 
see  whether  his  order  was  to  be  honored.  Passing  Colonel 


306  A  WOMAN'S  JJFE-WOIIK. 

Young's  office,  I  called  to  see  if  he  could  grant  the  favor, 
and  found  that  he  could  give  the  transportation  desired ; 
consequently  I  left  the  general  without  troubling  him  fur- 
ther. On  my  return  I  called  at  the  other  mission  store, 
and  met  brother  Burlingame  and  Isaac  Thome,  who  also 
wished  to  go  below,  but  were  doubtful  whether  General 
Tuttle  would  give  them  transportation.  They  said  they 
were  waiting  to  learn  of  nay  success,  and  were  surprised  to 
find  that  Colonel  Young  had  the  power  to  grant  it. 

We  took  the  steamer  "  J.  H.  Russell"  for  Baton  Rouge. 
On  March  27th,  Sunday  morning,  we  passed  the  mouth  of 
Red  River,  where  was  a  gun-boat,  from  which  a  few  pris- 
oners were  taken  aboard  of  our  boat.  A  woman  named 
Crosly  was  also  taken  on  board,  to  go  to  New  Orleans  for 
the  purpose  of  exposing  those  who  had  run  through  our 
lines  contraband  goods.  There  was  a  woman  of  property 
and  standing  on  the  boat,  who  still  held  her  household 
servants,  and  made  her  boast  that  no  one  could  even  hire 
her  slaves  to  leave  her. 

"  I  'd  like  to  see  any  one  offer  my  niggers  a  book,"  she 
declared ;  "  I  reckon  they'd  take  it  as  an  insult.  They'd  tell 
you  mighty  quick  they  'd  no  use  for  books  or  schools.  The 
niggers  never  will  be  as  happy  as  they  have  been.  They'll 
soon  die  out.  It 's  fearful  to  see  them  die  off  as  they  do 
in  these  camps.  They  know  nothing  of  taking  care  of 
themselves.  They  are  cared  for  by  us  as  tenderly  as  our 
own  children.  I  tell  you,  they  are  the  happiest  people 
that  live  in  this  country.  If  they  are  sick  the  doctor  is 
sent  for,  and  they  are  cared  for  in  every  way ;  they  know 
nothing  of  care." 

"If  they  are  such  a  happy  class  of  people,  how  was  it 
that  you  had  such  a  time  of  punishing  and  hanging  them 
within  the  last  two  years?"  I  asked. 

"O,  that  had  to  be  done  to  save  our  lives,  because  they 
were  about  to  rise  in  an  awful  insurrection." 

"  But  what  would  induce  them  to  rise  in   insurrection, 


INSIDE  VIEW  OF  SLAVERY.  307 

when  they  are  so  happy  and  contented  as  you  have  de- 
scribed ?" 

"  O,  there  is  always  somebody  ready  to  put  the  devil 
in  their  heads,"  was  her  ready  reply. 

But  Mrs.  Crosly's  report  was  of  a  very  different  char- 
acter. She  said,  "There  has  never  been  the  half  told  of  this 
hell  upon  earth — the  awful  wickedness  on  these  Red  River 
plantations,  where  I  have  lived  ever  since  I  was  fifteen 
years  old.  If  you  knew  what  I  have  passed  through,  you 
would  not  wonder  that  there  is  nothing  but  a  wreck  left 
of  me.  I  married  a  plantation  blacksmith  when  a  young 
girl  of  fifteen,  and  left  my  people  in  Indiana,  as  my  hus- 
band was  hired  by  a  rich  slave-holder,  Mr.  Samuel  Lay, 
who  lived  on  Red  River.  We  lived  on  his  plantation  many 
years,  though  he  used  to  do  a  great  deal  in  ironing  negroes 
for  neighboring  planters." 

I  told  her  of  the  slave-irons  I  had  found  on  a  deserted 
plantation,  to  take  to  my  Michigan  home 

"Don't  let  the  people  here  know  it,"  she  said,  "or 
they  will  take  them  from  you  and  drop  them  in  the  river ; 
for  they  bury  them,  or  throw  them  in  the  river  or  creek, 
to  put  them  out  of  sight  of  Yankees.  When  the  city  was 
taken  they  sent  painters  all  over  the  city,  with  brushes 
and  paint -buckets,  to  paint  over  all  advertising  signs  of 
slaves  for  sale,  and  hid  all  slave -irons  they  could  lay 
hands  on." 

I  told  her  that  was  done  in  Natchez,  when  that  city 
was  taken. 

"And  that  is  just  what  they  did,"  she  went  on,  "in 
Vicksburg.  Among  the  slave-irons  you  found,  were  there 
any  of  those  new-fashioned  gags?" 

I  told  her  that  there  were  not. 

"  You  ought  to  get  some  of  them.  If  I  were  at  home 
I  could  get  you  two  or  three  kinds;  but  you  ought  to  see 
the  new  gags  anyhow.  They  are  made  with  barbs,  as 
they  make  on  fish-hooks,  and  they  pierce  the  tongue  if 

21 


308  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

they  attempt  to  speak  or  make  a  noise.  They  can  't  live 
many  hours  with  one  of  them  in  their  mouths,  for  the 
tongue  swells  up  so.  Mr.  Lay  had  an  old  slave  woman 
we  called  Aunt  Hannah  whipped,  and  gagged  with  that 
new  gag,  and  left  her  all  night  in  her  cabin ;  and  when  I 
opened  her  door  her  tongue  was  swollen  out  of  her  mouth 
and  looked  so  awful,  I  would  n't  have  known  her  if  she 
had  n't  been  in  her  own  cabin.  I  told  'em  she  groaned  so, 
I  reckoned  she  was  dying,  and  they  sent  for  the  doctor  to 
come  and  cut  the  barbs  out,  and  he  told  Mr.  Lay  she  would 
have  died  in  an  hour  longer.  It  was  a  long  time  before 
she  recovered  from  it.  But  as  near  as  she  was  to  dying,  the 
overseer  left  Ben  all  night  with  that  kind  of  a  gag ;  and 
they  found  him  dead  in  the  morning.  You  of  the  North 
have  no  idea  of  the  perfect  hell  upon  earth  we've  had 
down  here.  Mr.  Lay  brought  Alice  from  Kentucky,  and 
she  'd  been  a  kitckeu-maid,  and  never  worked  in  the  cot- 
ton-field till  she  came  here.  The  overseer  was  a  mighty 
hard  man,  and  he  drew  that  long  whip  of  his  over  her 
shoulders  so  often  because  she  could  n't  keep  up  with  the 
other  hands,  that  she  ran  away  in  the  bush,  and  was  gone 
two  days  before  they  caught  her.  Then  they  whipped  her 
awfully,  and  in  two  or  three  days  they  drove  her  out  in 
the  field.  Within  a  week  she  ran  away  again,  and  was 
gone  about  two  weeks.  They  caught  her  with  the  help  of 
bloodhounds;  and  when  she  was  brought  in,  her  arms  were 
torn  by  the  dogs,  and  I  trembled  for  the  poor  girl,  for  I 
knew  they  'd  nearly  kill  her.  Sure  enough,  the  first  I 
knew  my  husband  had  her  at  his  shop,  to  iron  her  with  a 
full  set.  There  was  a  knee-stiffener,  an  iron  collar  with  a 
bell,  and  a  pair  of  handcuffs,  with  a  chain  between  to  allow 
her  to  use  the  hoe.  When  I  saw  the  heavy  irons  I  went  to 
the  shop  and  begged  Mr.  Crosly  not  to  iron  Alice  like  that, 
for  it  would  kill  her,  as  she  x  was  badly  torn  by  the  dogs. 
But  he  swore  at  me,  and  told  me  to  go  back  into  the 
house,  where  I  belonged ;  this  was  his  business.  I  went 


A   HELL  ON   EARTH.  309 

back  and  cried  over  it  till  it  appeared  I  could  n't  live ;  and 
I  went  out  again  and  begged  him  not  to  put  on  all  these 
irons;  for  he  knew  they  were  heavier  than  the  law  allowed, 
and  he  would  commit  murder,  for  she  could  not  live  in 
this  way.  But  he  only  swore  at  me  the  more.  At  this 
Mrs.  Lay  came  out  in  a  rage,  and  said  she  would  see 
whether  any  one  could  come  in  and  interfere  with  the  pun- 
ishment of  any  of  her  slaves,  and  ordered  another  slave  to 
cut  across  both  of  her  feet  with  a  pocket-knife,  through 
the  skin,  so  that  blood  was  left  in  her  tracks.  I  turned 
away,  for  I  thought  they  would  murder  the  poor  girl  be- 
fore my  eyes;  and  I  cried  myself  sick  and  could  n't  sleep, 
for  I  thought  she  must  die  before  morning.  The  cotton- 
field  was  opposite  my  window,  and  after  breakfast  I  watched 
to  see  the  hands  go  to  their  work;  and,  sure  enough,  there 
was  poor  Alice  hobbling  out  into  the  cotton-field.  They 
had  been  at  work  but  a  little  while  when  a  heavy  blow 
from  the  whip-handle  on  the  back  of  her  head  brought 
her  to  the  ground.  '  O,  my  God!'  I  cried,  to  see  that 
overseer  hit  her  like  that  because  she  could  n't  keep  up  her 
row.  I  prayed  God  that  Alice  might  die  at  once  and  be 
out  of  her  misery ;  and,  sure  enough,  they  brought  her  out 
of  that  field  dead !  I  was  glad  of  it.  Poor  girl!  she  could 
suffer  no  more  under  their  hands." 

"  And  did  not  her  death  call  forth  some  action  from 
the  law  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Nothing  of  the  kind  was  ever  noticed  on  our  planta- 
tion. I  tell  you  it  was  a  perfect  hell  on  earth  down  here ; 
you  do  n't  know  anything  about  it ;  and  yet,  if  these  things 
are  told,  they'll  deny  it,  and  call  them  black  abolition 
lies,  when  it's  God's  truth,  and  they  know  it.  There  was 
Uncle  Jack,  poor  fellow !  He  ran  away,  and  they  brought 
him  in  with  the  hounds,  after  he  'd  been  gone  a  week,  and 
they  made  him  strip  and  lie  down  on  his  face,  and  fastened 
his  hands  and  feet  to  iron  rings.  Then  a  man  sat  on  each 
side  of  him  to  do  the  whipping,  alternating  in  their  strokes 


310  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

from  his  feet  to  his  head,  then  back  to  his  feet,  and  so 
back  and  forth  until  they  'd  given  him  one  hundred  lashes. 
I  passed  by  them,  and  saw  his  back  cut  up  to  a  raw  jelly, 
and  the  flesh  twitched  as  you  've  seen  newly  killed  beef. 
But  this  was  not  all.  They  took  burning  pitch-pine  slivers 
and  held  them  over  his  quivering  flesh,  dropping  the 
melted  blazing  pitch  from  his  head  to  his  feet.  After  this 
awful  torture,  the  two  men  carried  him  to  his  cabin,  I 
thought,  to  die ;  and  I  had  another  all-night  cry  over  Uncle 
Jack.  He  was  not  able  to  go  out  in  the  field  again  for  two 
weeks." 

Mrs.  Crosly  related  many  other  incidents  in  her  own 
experience,  some  of  which  are  too  shocking  for  the  public 
eye  or  ear. 

"My  husband,"  she  said,  "bought  two  slave  women, 
one  of  whom  was  the  mother  of  two  illegitimate  children, 
that  my  children  were  compelled  by  their  father  to  address 
as  brother  and  sister.  He  also  brought  the  mother  to  my 
apartments,  and  occupied  my  parlor  bedroom  with  her  for 
years — all  to  aggravate  me.  I  did  n't  blame  the  woman 
Molly,  for  she  could  n't  help  herself.  She  and  I  cried  to- 
gether over  this  state  of  things  for  hours,  many  a  time. 
She  often  begged  my  husband  to  let  her  live  a  virtuous 
life,  but  it  was  of  no  use.  He  would  only  threaten  to 
punish  her.  Poor  thing!  we  felt  sorry  for  each  other,  and 
she  used  to  do  all  she  could  for  me.  I  am  so  thankful  she 
can  now  go  where  she  pleases.  She  took  her  two  children, 
and  with  the  other  woman  went  as  soon  as  they  could  get 
through  the  lines.  I  am  so  glad  all  the  slaves  are  free. 
Mr.  Crosly  has  got  our  oldest  boy  with  him  in  the  army, 
and  threatens  to  take  my  youngest  boy  of  fourteen.  But 
the  Union  officers  say  they  will  confiscate  our  property  and 
make  it  over  to  me  and  my  boys,  so  that  Mr.  Crosly  can 
not  take  it  from  me." 

The  terrible  scenes  she  had  passed  through,  and  wit- 
nessed, substantiated  our  oft  expressed  opinion  that  unlim- 


TRIALS   OF   SLAVE    LIFE.  311 

ited  power  on  the  part  of  slave-owners  was  equally  degrad- 
ing to  the  slave-holder  and  to  the  slave.  Even  more :  it 
fostered  the  worst  passions  of  a  depraved  nature.  Her  ex- 
perience was  no  isolated  one.  Such  cases  in  many  locali- 
ties were  neither  few  nor  far  between. 

On  March  28th  we  learned,  with  surprise,  that  the 
bright  light  we  saw  the  evening  before,  as  we  came  from  the 
soldiers'  meeting,  was  the  steamer  "J.  H.  Russell"  burn- 
ing to  the  water's  edge.  No  lives  were  lost,  but  all  the 
baggage  of  passengers  and  many  mules,  horses,  cattle,  and 
sheep  and  other  government  supplies  were  destroyed.  O, 
how  thankful  we  were  that  we  exchanged  boats  when  we 
did,  and  were  safely  lauded  here  in  Baton  Rouge.  "Bless 
the  Lord,  O  my  soul!  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits,"  was 
my  first  thought.  How  many  favors  are  often  bestowed 
in  disguise! 

At  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  attended  a  meeting  of  colored 
people  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  was  built 
by  themselves,  and  upon  invitation  addressed  them.  I 
spoke  perhaps  twenty  minutes,  taking  for  my  theme  Psalm 
cxi,  12:  "I  know  the  Lord  will  maintain  the  cause  of  the 
afflicted,  and  the  right  of  the  poor."  At  the  close  of  the  . 
meeting  the  colored  people  gathered  around  us,  and  gave 
us  such  a  hand-shaking  and  "God  bless  you"  as  we  seldom 
find  outside  of  this  oppressed  people. 

In  the  evening  more  than  a  dozen  came  to  our  lodgings 
and  spent  two  hours  recounting  the  trials  of  their  slave- 
life,  which  were  of  thrilling  interest.  O,  what  a  bitter 
draught  was  theirs,  even  to  the  very  dregs!  One  poor  man 
named  Henry,  owned  by  John  Reese,  near  Baton  Rouge, 
for  the  crime  of  visiting  his  wife  and  children  ofteuer  than 
once  a  month  against  his  master's  command,  was  ordered 
to  be  nailed  to  a  tree  by  his  ear,  and  whipped  until  it  tore 
out.  But  even  more  awful  scenes  of  persecution  and  out- 
rage these  people  passed  through,  which  we  can  not  record. 
We  closed  our  interview,  after  listening  to  their  sad  recitals, 


312  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

with  prayer,  iii  which  all  took  part.  A  solemn  season  it 
was,  to  mingle  our  tears  and  voices  with  those  who  had 
passed  through  such  scenes  of  suffering  and  were  now  prais- 
ing the  Lord  for  freedom. 

On  Tuesday,  29th,  we  visited  the  general  hospital  in 
the  noble  asylum  for  the  mute  and  blind.  Of  the  latter 
there  were  thirty  inmates.  They  played  on  the  piano  and 
sang  very  sweetly,  and  we  were  interested  in  seeing  the 
mutes  converse  with  each  other  in  their  sign  language. 
One  little  fellow  was  asked  by  the  matron  to  give  us  their 
name  for  Yankee.  He  quickly  passed  his  fingers  through 
each  other,  and  we  all  laughed  to  see  ourselves  with  such 
an  unstable  name.  All  seemed  much  pleased  to  receive 
our  visit. 

We  found  here  our  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  with 
nothing  but  army  supplies,  boiled  fat  pork  and  bread. 
Surgeon  Pole  told  us  they  were  out  of  other  supplies.  We 
sent  immediately  to  New  Orleans  for  dried  fruit,  crackers, 
etc.,  and  within  four  days  they  came  rolling  in  by  the 
barrel.  We  left  this  marble-faced  edifice  to  visit  a  few 
camps  surrounding  the  city  of  Baton  Rouge.  By  request  I 
attended  a  six  o'clock  meeting  in  the  chapel  for  soldiers  at 
the  general  hospital,  accompanied  by  Rev.  Joel  Burlingame 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Merryfield. 

On  Wednesday,  30th,  we  spent  some  time  in  visiting 
and  distributing  tracts  and  Testaments,  and  conversing 
with  soldiers.  We  also  visited  a  colored  school  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty-four  pupils.  All  were  much  engaged 
in  study.  We  were  invited  to  address  them.  Sister  Backus 
and  myself  complied,  and  it  seemed  gratifying  to  them  and 
satisfactory  to  us.  We  returned  to  our  pleasant  boarding 
place,  wrote  a  letter,  and  made  a  number  of  calls.  We 
found  a  woman  who  used  to  sympathise  with  Eliza  Wilson 
in  her  slave-trials  previous  to  her  escape  to  the  North. 
Through  her  we  heard  from  Eliza's  little  girl,  whom  she 
left  with  her  old  master  Bissel.  A  few  days  before  she 


WOUNDED   SOLDIERS.  313 

had  come  to  her  aunt,  iu  Plaquemine,  about  nine  miles,  in 
the  night,  she  heard  that  Yankee  soldiers  were  in  posses- 
sion of  that  town.  She  had  been  told  that  a  certain  road 
led  to  Plaquemine,  and  took  it  in  a  moonlight  night  and 
found  her  aunt.  Although  she  was  only  about  ten  years 
of  age,  and  could  not  remember  her  mother,  yet  this  woman 
said  the  child  had  heard  I  was  going  to  take  her  to  her 
mother,  and  that  she  was  nearly  insane  over  it.  I  had 
previously  sent  word  to  them  by  a  soldier  who  was  a  dis- 
patch-bearer, that  the  mother  was  very  anxious  to  get  her 
child  if  she  was  within  our  lines ;  and  when  he  returned  to 
Plaquemine  he  found  the  child  and  helped  her  to  escape 
from  Bissel  with  much  less  trouble  than  her  mother  had 
seven  years  before. 

About  the  close  of  the  month  we  took  a  long  walk  to 
Fort  Williams,  where  were  three  thousand  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  The  scenes  here  were  indescribable. 
The  mingled  language  of  acute  distress,  in  prayer,  groans, 
and  occasional  oaths  from  the  profane,  could  be  heard. 
One  young  man  seemed  too  near  death's  door  to  sur- 
vive. Said  he :  "  If  I  die  it  will  be  suddenly,  upon  the 
amputation  of  this  arm.  It  is  too  late  for  me  now ;  but 
if  I  am  spared  I  will  seek  an  interest  in  Christ."  But  we 
had  heard  the  cry  of  despair  before,  and  could  not  give 
him  up.  The  arm  was  taken  off  without  causing  instant 
death,  as  he  Avas  fearing.  He  then  became  an  eager  lis- 
tener, and  said  he  could  now  pray  for  pardon,  and  believed 
that  the  merciful  Redeemer  would  grant  the  earnest  desire 
of  his  soul.  We  found  a  few  men,  whose  lives  were  given 
up  by  tb^e  surgeon,  who  were  trusting,  and  possessed  the 
comforting  assurance  of  a  glorious  future.  As  we  were 
about  to  leave,  another  soldier  attracted  our  attention,  who 
said  he  was  not  a  Christian,  but  wished  to  be,  and  after 
repeating  a  few  promises  and  praying  with  him  we  left. 
In  tears,  he  requested  us  to  see  him  again. 

While  we  were  waiting  for  a  boat  for  New  Orleans  we 


314  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

again  visited  the  hospital,  and  found  both  of  those  who 
were  anxious  at  our  previous  visit  rejoicing  Christians. 

I  went  to  the  office  to  inquire  for  a  steamer  for  New 
Orleans,  and  on  leaving  was  accosted  by  a  young  man 
with  the  query  whether  I  was  looking  for  a  boat.  As  he 
saw  that  I  noticed  the  feather  in  his  drab  hat,  and  star, 
with  stripes  on  the  sleeves  of  his  gray  coat,  he  remarked 
that  he  was  an  exchanged  prisoner,  and  was  on  his  way  to 
his  home  at  Atlanta,  Georgia.  Said  I : 

"  You  appear  like  a  young  man  of  intelligence,  and  I 
hope  by  the  time  you  reach  your  home  you  will  conclude 
to  cast  your  net  on  the  right  side." 

"We've  been  fishing  on  the  right  side  these  three 
years,"  he  replied;  "and  we'll  fight  three,  ten,  or  twenty 
years  longer,  if  we  live  so  long,  but  what  we  will  have  our 
rights — the  right  to  hold  our  slave  property  without  inter- 
ference from  Northern  abolitionists.  You  need  not  judge 
of  our  strength  because  you  have  a  little  strip  of  this  river, 
and  our  folks  are  rather  discouraged  here,  and  tired  of 
war.  If  you  could  see  our  troops  in  Virginia,  you  'd  see 
as  hopeful  and  jolly  a  set  of  fellows  as  you  ever  saw.  Give 
up?  No,  never!  I  tell  you,  madam,  we  are  determined 
to  have  our  independence  if  we  fight  till  we  die." 

"I  am  sorry,"  I  answered,  "you  can  not  be  induced 
to  adopt  a  course  worthy  of  your  zeal.  Young  man,  the 
worst  wish  I  have  for  you  is  that  you  may  be  prepared  to 
die,  for  the  fiat  of  the  Almighty  is  against  you.  The 
sword  and  the  boys  in  blue  are  going  to  bring  you  to  terms. 
You  will  never  again  buy  and  sell  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren like  horses,  cattle,  and  sheep  in  the  market.  The 
judgments  of  the  Lord  are  upon  you  for  these  things." 

"  You  need  n't  think  God  is  on  your  side,  for  you  Ve 
made  our  niggers  our  masters.  Look!  within  four  rods 
of  us  stand  nigger  pickets,  with  their  bayonets,  and  we 
can 't  pass  those  bayonets  without  a  pass — and  our  own 
niggers,  too.  I  tell  you,  madam,  if  I  could  have  my 


REPRESENTATIVE  SOUTHERNERS.  315 

way,  I M  have  a  rope  around  every  nigger's  neck,  and 
haug  'em,  or  dam  up  this  Mississippi  River  with  them;" 
and  his  black  eyes  flashed  with  fury.  "  Only  eight  or  ten 
miles  from  this  river  slaves  are  working  for  their  masters 
as  happily  as  ever." 

"  We  know  that  they  are  remaining  on  many  planta- 
tions; but  we  know  of  a  number  of  plantations  that  are 
worked  by  their  former  slaves  because  their  former  mas- 
ters are  paying  them  Avages.  But  if  they  are  as  happy 
and  contented  as  you  describe,  why  do  we  see  them  daily 
coming  into  these  camps,  frequently  for  twenty  to  fifty 
miles,  wading  swamps  and  creeks,  with  swollen  and  bleed- 
ing feet  ?  Why  all  this  painstaking  to  get  away  from  their 
masters,  if  they  are  so  attached  to  them  ?" 

"They  are  poisoned  by  the  Yankees.  You  talk  about 
the  justness  of  your  cause — any  thing  but  justice  to  put 
arms  in  the  hands  of  these  niggers,  to  be  our  masters — to 
set  our  slaves  over  us  with  gun  and  bayonet.  God  Al- 
mighty will  never  prosper  you — never." 

"I  see  I  can  say  nothing  that  will  avail  with  you.  I 
perceive  that  it  is  beyond  the  power  of  man.  Hoping  that 
a  Higher  Power  may  reach  you,  I  bid  you  farewell." 

With  these  words,  I  turned  away;  but  had  not  ad- 
vanced five  feet  when  he  called  out: 

"  Madam,  I  hope  we  '11  get  the  same  boat.  I  'd  like  to 
see  you  again ;  for  I  like  to  meet  people  who  stand  up  for 
their  own  principles." 

Widely  differing  from  this  captain's  spirit  was  another, 
who  was  the  owner  of  a  large  plantation,  with  numerous 
slaves,  yet  a  strong  Union  man,  and  his  wife  and  daugh- 
ters sympathized  with  him.  Before  the  fall  of  Vicksburg 
he  called  all  his  slaves  together,  and  told  them  this  war 
would  result  in  the  freedom  of  every  slave  in  the  United 
States,  and  he  wanted  now  to  make  an  arrangement  with 
them  to  work  for  him  as  heretofore.  He  promised  to  pay 
all  the  grown  hands  eight  dollars  a  month,  and  board  them 


316  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

with  their  families  as  he  had  done  before,  and  to  pay  them 
at  the  close  of  each  month.  With  tears  of  gratitude,  they 
accepted  his  proposition.  He  told  them  that  this  arrange- 
ment must  be  kept  secret,  for  their  safety  as  well  as  his  own ; 
for  they  all  knew  there  had  always  been  a  prejudice  against 
him  because  he  allowed  them  privileges  that  other  planters 
adjoining  them  did  not.  They  said  to  him,  "  Your  niggers 
think  they  are  white,"  because  he  never  would  have  an 
overseer  on  his  plantation,  and  would  not  have  whipping 
and  punishing  among  his  grown  people,  and  the  families 
among  his  slaves  managed  their  own  children.  He  came 
into  our  lines  as  soon  as  he  could,  to  save  his  life;  and  he 
told  us  he  had  not  visited  his  home  for  a  long  time,  except 
at  night,  as  his  life  had  been  threatened,  and  that  his  wife 
and  daughters,_  for  their  own  protection,  kept  loaded  pis- 
tols at  their  bedside.  He  had  also  armed  a  number  of  his 
servants,  as  they  were  likewise  exposed  to  an  attack.  He 
was  a  noble -appearing  man,  and  said,  in  conversation: 
"Mrs.  Haviland,  I  have  always  held  the  same  views  on 
the  subject  of  slavery  that  you  do;  but  it  was  against  the 
law  to  free  them  and  allow  them  to  remain  here,  and  we 
could  not  send  them  away  without  breaking  up  some  of 
their  families.  But  I  rejoice  that  it  has  come  to  an  end ; 
and  I  know  of  others  who  rejoice,  but  they  do  so  secretly." 
His  wife  came  to  see  him  while  we  were  there,  and  seemed 
to  be  a  woman  of  sterling  principle.  She  said  they  had  to 
watch  day  and  night,  fearing  their  buildings  would  be 
burned,  and  perhaps  some  of  them  murdered. 

We  called  on  a  widow  and  her  two  daughters  who  were 
in  deep  affliction  on  account  of  the  bitterness  of  feeling 
toward  them  in  consequence  of  their  Union  principles. 
They  were  a  Christian  family,  and  owned  some  property  in 
the  country,  besides  their  residence  in  town.  A  number  of 
our  officers  boarded  with  her.  I  was  in  her  family  a  day 
or  two,  and  as  I  left  I  took  out  my  purse  to  pay  her. 
"Don't  open  that,"  she  cried;  "I  can't  take  a  farthing, 


PORT    HUDSOX.  317 

You  don't  know  what  we  have  to  endure.  I  have  two 
brothers  in  the  rebel  army,  and  when  they  came  home, 
because  I  told  them  they  were  fighting  against  God  in 
fighting  against  the  Union,  they  swore  at  me  and  threat- 
ened to  take  my  life ;  they  said  I  was  a  Southern  Yankee, 
and  they  were  the  worst  of  all.  I  expect  they  '11  burn  my 
house  some  night  or  get  some  one  else  to  do  it;  and  I  know 
there  are  enough  that  would  gladly  do  it.  O,  you  can't 
tell  how  much  good  your  prayer  did  us  this  morning.  I 
do  feel  a  daily  necessity  of  looking  to  God  to  keep  us.  I 
want  to  make  a  request  of  you  to  remember  us  at  God's 
throne,  for  we  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  Do 
plead  for  us  in  prayer,  my  sister."  I  left  her  and  her 
daughters  bathed  in  tears.  We  then  took  steamer  Niagara 
for  New  Orleans,  April  2d.  It  being  dark,  the  captain  con- 
cluded to  wait  till  moonlight,  when  an  order  came  to  go  up 
the  river,  near  Port  Hudson,  for  twenty  soldiers  and  thirty 
thousand  dollars  in  contraband  goods  with  two  men  prison- 
ers, who  had  been  in  charge  of  these  goods  for  the  rebels. 
While  they  were  loading  the  goods  sister  Backus  and  myself 
took  a  long  walk  to  the  residence  of  John  Buhler,  aged 
seventy-five  years,  who  lost  a  few  weeks  before  one  hundred 
and  thirty  slaves.  The  old  man  and  his  wife  took  us  into 
their  flower-garden,  where  Avere  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  varieties  of  roses  and  many  kinds  of  shrubbery,  and  the 
greatest  variety  of  cactus  I  ever  saw ;  many  of  them  were 
six  and  eight  feet  high.  One  large  pecan-tree  was  almost 
covered  with  a  small  yellow  rose-climber  in  full  bloom, 
presenting  a  beautiful  appearance.  They  gathered  nearly 
an  armful  of  flowers  for  us,  and  took  us  into  the  room  in 
which  a  bursting  shell  made  sad  havoc.  They  made  many 
excuses  for  the  weedy  flower-beds  in  the  yard  and  garden, 
as  they  now  had  no  servants  to  keep  them.  Two  drunken 
women  came  aboard  the  boat  and  were  put  off  by  our 
captain,  but  through  the  influence  of  their  friends  came  on 
again.  We  turned  from  this  scene,  and  took  a  stroll  to 


318  A  WOMAN'S  LJFE-WORK. 

another  residence,  where  we  found  the  former  slaves  of  the 
owner  the  sole  occupants.  They  had  a  hearty  laugh  when 
I  asked  if  the  "smoke-house  key  was  fro  wed  in  de  well?" 
"Yes,  yes,  missus,"  they  answered;  "  we's  got  de  managiu'." 

We  returned  to  Baton  Rouge  (the  place  where  we 
halted  some  time  is  called  West  Baton  Rouge),  arriving 
late  in  the  afternoon.  We  walked  up  to  our  old  boarding- 
place,  and  took  supper  with  our  dear  friends. 

On  April  3d  we  arrived  at  New  Orleans  at  nine  A.  M., 
in  time  to  attend  a  colored  Sunday-school.  At  its  close  I 
gave  them  a  little  talk.  From  thence  we  were  piloted  to 
the  Bethel  Methodist  Church  (colored)  and  found  a  quar- 
terly meeting  being  held.  Here  we  listened  to  a  very 
interesting  and  intelligent  discourse  by  Rev.  William  Dove. 
I  made  a  few  remarks  on  the  comparison  of  present  times 
with  the  former.  At  the  close  of  the  service  many  came 
forward  to  shake  hands  and  tell  us  of  the  time  when  min- 
isters and  people  were  hauled  out  of  this  church  of  their 
own  building  and  taken  to  jail.  The  free  people  were 
compelled  to  pay  twenty-five  dollars'  fine,  and  slaves  were 
punished  with  twenty-five  lashes  on  the  bare  back,  well 
laid  on.  This  persecution  the  authorities  deemed  neces- 
sary in  order  to  keep  these  poor  people  from  rising  in 
insurrection.  They  locked  up  their  churches  two  years 
and  a  half,  until  the  Union  soldiers  unlocked  them. 
Though  the  authorities  forbade  their  meeting  at  all,  they 
often  stole  away  two  and  three  miles  and  held  little  meet- 
ings in  deep  ravines  and  in  clumps  of  bushes  and  trees,  to 
hide  from  their  cruel  pursuers;  but  they  could  not  even 
there  long  escape  their  vigilant  enemies.  "Insurrection! 
INSURRECTION  !"  was  constantly  inflaming  the  guilty  mul- 
titude. Imprisoning,  putting  into  stocks,  and  all  sorts  of 
punishments  seemed  to  be  the  order  of  the  day. 

A  few  months  after  the  closing  of  their  church  the 
spotted  fever  broke  out,  slaying  its  thousands.  An  old 
pious  colored  woman  said  to  one  who  was  losing  all  his 


SPOTTED    FEVER.  319 

family,  and  called  upon  her  to  assist  them:  "Now,  who  is 
plotting  insurrection?  Who  you  gwine  to  take  to  jail  now? 
Who  you  gwine  to  whip  an'  hang  now?  You  can't  take 
God  out  to  jail."  They  heard  that  their  enemies  had  con- 
cluded to  stop  their  praying,  for  it  was  thought  to  be 
through  the  prayers  of  the  colored  people  that  all  this 
trouble  was  sent  upon  them;  for  the  plague  was  almost 
entirely  confined  to  the  white  people.  This  class  of  accus 
ers  became  even  more  bitter  than  before. 

No  one  can  look  at  this  volume  of  history  without  call- 
ing to  mind  the  hardness  of  heart  of  the  ancient  Egyp- 
tians. 


320  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MISSION  WORK  IN  NEW  ORLEANS. 

AT  New  Orleans,  where  we  arrived  April  6,  1864,  our 
home  was  a  very  pleasant  one.  Beneath  the  windows  of 
our  room  was  a  grove  of  fig-trees.  We  had  the  kindest 
of  friends. 

We  visited  ten  colored  schools  in  the  city,  filled  with 
eager  learners.  One  was  taught  by  Mrs.  Brice,  who  had 
in  charge  sixty  scholars.  She  had  been  teaching  here  three 
years,  under  much  persecution,  and  stemmed  the  torrent 
of  opposition,  sometimes  in  secret,  before  the  war.  Sister 
Brice  and  her  husband  had  been  struggling  in  this  city 
nearly  five  years,  through  this  bitter  hate  to  the  North, 
contending  for  Unionism  everywhere,  through  civil,  relig- 
ious, and  political  life.  We  called  on  them,  and  spent  two 
hours  in  eating  oranges  and  listening  to  the  fanaticisms 
and  wild  conceptions  of  this  misguided  people  and  terror- 
stricken  multitude  when  the  "Yankee"  soldiers  marched 
up  the  streets  from  the  gun-boats.  Schools  were  dismissed ; 
the  children  cried  as  they  ran  home,  telling  those  they  met 
that  the  Yankees  had  come  to  kill  them  and  their  mothers. 
But  there  were  those  who  cried  for  joy  at  the  sight  of  the 
national  flag.  The  starting  tear  manifested  the  deep  feel- 
ing of  these  friends  as  they  attempted  to  relate  the  scene, 
but  said  it  was  impossible,  as  it  was  beyond  description. 
It  seemed  like  an  oasis  in  a  desert  to  meet  such  kindred 
spirits.  We  left  them,  with  their  urgent  request  to  make 
another  call  before  we  left  the  city. 

We  were  invited  by  the  pastor  to  attend  a  love-feast 
meeting  at  half-past  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  where  we  met  a 
large  congregation.  The  services  were  opened  as  usual. 


LOVE-FEAST.  321 

Soon  they  were  "breaking  bread"  with  each  other,  shak- 
ing hands,  and  singing.  Many  were  weeping.  Some  broke 
to  each  other  the  bread,  exclaiming,  "  Praise  God  for  this 
day  of  liberty  to  worship  God!"  One  old  man  said  to  one 
of  the  ministers,  as  he  placed  his  hand  on  his  shoulder: 
"  Bless  God,  my  sou,  we  do  n't  have  to  keep  watch  at  that 
door,"  pointing  to  it,  "  to  tell  us  the  patrollers  are  coming 
to  take  us  to  jail  and  fine  us  twenty-five  dollars  for  prayin' 
and  talkin'  of  the  love  of  Jesus.  O  no,  we 's  FREE  !  Yes, 
thank  God  for  freedom!"  Clapping  his  hands,  his  shouts 
of  "Glory,  glory,  hallelujah!"  were  followed  by  others, 
until  "  Glory,  hallelujah  to  the  Lamb  forever!"  was  heard 
from  many  voices.  Men  clasped  the  necks  of  their  breth- 
ren, and  shook  hands  with  the  sisters,  singing,  weeping, 
shouting,  jumping,  and  whirling.  Said  one  woman,  as  she 
clasped  another,  "O  sister,  don't  you  'mcmlxr  when  da  tuck 
us  over  in  dat  jail  dat  night,  an'  said  da  would  whip  us 
if  we  did  n't  stop  pray  in'?"  and  then  they  both  jumped  and 
shouted,  throwing  up  their  hands  in  wild  excitement.  A 
half-hour  was  spent  in  these  outbursts  of  long  pent-up  feel- 
ings ;  then  they  settled  down  into  comparative  quiet,  and 
the  pastor  exhorted  them  to  be  brief  in  their  remarks. 
Perhaps  an  hour  was  spent  in  the  relation  of  experiences, 
and  the  meeting  closed  with  singing: 

"The  jubilee  has  come ; 
And  we  are  free,  we  are  free." 

Then  there  was  again  the  shaking  of  hands,  and  an- 
other half-hour  was  spent  in  overflowing  manifestations,  as 
at  the  opening  of  their  meeting.  This  long-oppressed  peo- 
ple realized  their  great  change  beyond  our  conceptions. 

At  the  Christian  Commission  rooms,  No.  69  Carondelet 
Street,  Dr.  F.  B.  Smith,  agent,  we  met  brother  Merrifield, 
of  Baton  Rouge,  and  brother  Horton,  who  took  us  to  visit 
a  school  of  sixty  pupils,  taught  by  two  colored  men,  Bap- 
tist ministers.  They  had  opened  it  before  the  government 
or  missionaries  opened  a  school  in  this  city  for  colored 


322  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-^ORK. 

children.  We  had  visited  and  addressed  a  number  of 
other  schools  among  these  people  of  this  city,  one  of  which 
numbered  over  four  hundred  scholars,  in  a  confiscated  col- 
lege ;  but  this  in  interest  surpassed  them  all.  Here  in  an 
old  slave-pen,  where  hundreds  and  thousands  had  been 
cried  off  to  the  highest  bidder,  where  the  cries  of  parting 
mother  and  child  had  been  heard  and  unheeded,  where  the 
pleadings  of  husbands  and  fathers  were  only  answered  by 
the  lash,  those  many  tears,  sighs,  and  groans  were  exchanged 
for  intellectual  culture  and  religious  instruction.  Here 
were  sundry  Union  flags  waving,  and  a  large  portrait  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  hung  on  the  wall  behind  the  desk.  The 
scene  was  inspiring. 

After  returning,  two  colored  women,  genteelly  dressed, 
and  quite  intelligent,  called  on  us  and  gave  us  a  thrilling 
history  of  the  past.  They  gave  us  some  startling  facts  of 
the  efforts  made  to  return  slaves,  who  had  come  within  our 
lines  to  their  masters,  by  making  friends  of  our  officers 
and  soldiers.  Men  had  enlisted  from  this  State  (Louisiana) 
and  Mississippi  as  Union  soldiers  from  selfish  motives. 
Their  sole  object  was  to  assist  in  getting  their  slaves  back, 
by  taking  them  out  of  houses  when  employed  by  colored 
people,  and  from  the  street  when  sent  to  market,  and 
placing  them  in  jail.  After  orders  were  passed  to  give 
rations  to  the  families  of  colored  soldiers,  one  young  girl, 
whose  name  was  Rhoda,  was  doing  well  until  she  was  over- 
taken with  chills.  Her  brother  gave  her  a  paper  certifying 
he  was  a  soldier,  and  requested  rations  for  her,  but  she  was 
arrested  on  the  street,  and  lodged  in  jail,  where  she  re- 
mained three  months,  sick  with  chills  and  fever,  and  with- 
out change  of  clothing,  although  her  female  friends  made 
many  efforts  to  get  food  and  clothing  to  her.  At  length 
a  deliverer  came,  who  found  three  hundred  miserable,  ver- 
min-eaten prisoners,  and  set  them  free.  A  more  grateful 
company  was  never  found.  Find  fault  who  will  with  Ben- 
jamin F.  Butler,  this  was  just  the  work  he  did ;  and  many 


A    WICKED    PLOT.  323 

lives  were  saved,  and    much  suffering  relieved,  under  his 
administration. 

We  dined  with  a  widow  who  had  paid  $1,800  for  her- 
self, and  lived  in  good  style  by  boarding  her  friends,  who 
paid  her  extra  board-bills  to  assist  her.  A  Creole  lady 
called  to  see  us  who  could  converse  a  little  in  English. 
The  Creoles  in  New  Orleans  generally  spoke  French.  This 
madame  was  a  woman  of  wealth  and  position,  and  well 
pleased  with  the  freedom  of  the  slave. 

We  heard  of  a  project  devised  by  many  masters  to 
massacre  all  the  blacks.  One  brought  in  three  hogsheads 
marked  sugar.  A  little  slave  girl,  hearing  her  master  say 
at  dinner-table,  that  he  had  one  filled  with  loaded  pistols, 
another  with  dirks,  and  the  third  with  bowie-knives,  went 
and  told  her  mother.  She  was  directed  to  be  careful  and 
listen,  while  busy  about  the  room,  to  all  her  master  said, 
and  report  to  her.  In  this  way  she  heai'd  the  plans  that 
her  master  and  his  friends  designed  to  carry  into  execu- 
tion, and  informed  her  mother.  The  plan  was  to  paint  a 
large  company  of  their  men  black,  who  should  assume  the 
attitude  of  fight;  then  all  were  to  cry  out  "Insurrection! 
INSURRECTION!"  and  fly  to  every  negro  man,  woman,  and 
child,  and  kill  them  all  off.  The  mother  made  an  errand 
down  town  with  her  little  girl,  and  called  on  General  But- 
ler, to  whom  they  told  all.  A  party  of  officers  and  sol- 
diers were  dispatched  at  once,  who  visited  that  house,  de- 
manded the  keys,  and  searched  the  premises.  There  they 
found  the  hogsheads,  broke  in  the  head  of  each,  and  found 
all  as  reported.  The  master  was  banished  from  the  city, 
his  family  sent  outside  the  lines,  his  property  confiscated, 
and  his  slaves  set  free.  No  wonder  they  disliked  General 
Butler,  when  he  defeated  their  base  designs. 

The  convention  which  met  in  the  City  Hall  to  frame 
a  free  constitution  for  Louisiana  created  considerable  ex- 
citement. Many  slave-owners  were  confident  they  would 
have  all  their  slaves  back  again,  or  get  pay  for  them. 

22 


324  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK, 

As  there  were  no  sanitary  agents  at  Brazier  City,  and 
we  learned  of  much  suffering  there,  we  called  at  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  Rooms  to  make  further  inquiries,  and 
found  brother  Diossy  had  just  sent  both  an  agent  and  a 
teacher  to  that  point.  "  But  if  you  are  hunting  for  desti- 
tute places,"  he  told  us,  "  I  wish  you  would  go  to  Ship 
Island,  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  as  there  are  soldiers  and 
many  prisoners  there,  and  they  have  no  chaplain  or  agent 
to  look  after  their  sanitary  condition."  While  I  was  in- 
clined to  go,  sister  Backus  thought,  in  view  of  the  very 
warm  weather,  and  because  we  were  so  nearly  worn  out 
with  several  months'  constant  toiling,  we  had  better  turn 
our  faces  homeward.  I  knew  there  was  but  little  more 
than  shadows  left  of  us,  yet  I  could  not  rid  myself  of  the 
impression  that  it  would  be  right  to  go;  but  I  told  her  I 
would  not  draft  her  into  service,  or  persuade  her  against 
her  judgment. 

I  met  at  these  rooms  brother  Merrifield  and  brother 
Horton,  and  the  chaplain  of  the  Michigan  6th  Infantry. 
By  their  request  we  attended  a  soldiers'  prayer-meeting. 
Near  the  close  one  soldier  expressed  his  gratitude  for  the 
privilege  of  listening  to  the  voice  of  mothers  in  counsels 
that  reminded  many  of  them  of  their  own  mothers  far 
away.  He  could  say  no  more  for  a  moment,  being  over- 
come with  emotion.  "  You  may  call  me  weak,  and  if  this 
be  weakness,  then  I  am  weak,"  he  said.  Another  requested 
prayer  for  his  sick  soldier  brother,  and  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Northern  ladies  who  were  laboring  for  them. 

After  this  meeting  I  called  at  the  office  for  transporta- 
tion; but  there  was  no  encouragement  that  I  could  get 
it  for  a  number  of  days,  perhaps  two  weeks,  as  General 
Banks  had  nearly  all  the  boats  up  Red  River,  in  his  fleet. 
But  as  I  was  passing  the  gulf  office  I  called  and  found  the 
steamer  Clyde  going  out  for  Ship  Island  in  four  hours, 
and  at  once  secured  transportation  for  us  both.  I  returned 
to  our  boarding-house,  aud  reported  what  I  had  done,  and 


ON   SHIP    ISLAND.  325 

told  sister  Backus  if  she  was  willing  to  go  the  sea-breeze 
might  do  more  to  rest  us  than  the  labors  would  add  to  our 
weariuess.     She  consented  to  accompany  me,  and  we  pro- 
vided ourselves  with  half  a   bushel  of  reading  matter  at 
Christian   Commission   Rooms,  and  secured   the  aid  of  a 
couple  of  soldiers  to  carry  our  books  to  the  street-car,  from 
thence   to  a   steam-car  that  lauded  us  at  the  Clyde.     As 
there  was  no  berth  for  us  we  obtained  a  couple  of  blankets, 
but  there  being  room  for  only  one  to  lie  down,  we  man- 
aged, by  taking  turns,  to  get  considerable  sleep.     On  April 
8th,  at  ten  A.  M. ,  we  lauded  on  Ship  Island.     It  was  of 
white  sand,  that  resembled,  at  a  distance,  a  huge  snow- 
bank.    We  found  a  little  sprinkle  of  brown  sand,   upon 
which  grew  a  few  scrubby  trees  and  a  species  of  cactus 
that  spread  out  in  clusters  as  large  as  a  dinner-plate.     The 
island   is  eight  miles  in  length,   and  from  one-fourth    to 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  wide.    The  captain  told  us  he  should 
not  leave  until  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  we  made  use  of 
our  time  accordingly.     When  we  landed  with   our  large 
market-basket  heaping  full  of  Testaments  and  other  read- 
ing matter,  the  gunboat  boys  and  prisoners  gathered  around 
us  like  hungry  children.     Prisoners  in  irons  came  holding 
the  iron  ball  in  one  arm,  while  the  other  hand  reached  for 
a  Testament,  crying  out,  "Please  give  me  a  Testament,  I. 
lost  mine  in  battle;"  "Please  give  me  one,  I  lost  mine  in  a 
long  march;"  "Please  give  me  something  to  read,  I  lost 
my  Testament  in  a  rain-storm."    Many  hands  were  reached 
over  the  shoulders  of  others,  until  thirty  or  forty  hands  at 
a  time  were  extended.     We  soon  exhausted  our   basket- 
supply.     We  had  a  few  in  our  satchels,  but  we  reserved 
them  for  the  hospital  and  military  prison.     As  we  had  dis- 
posed of  the  most  of  our  books  in  an  hour,  we  spent  an 
hour  on  the  beach  gathering  sea-shells  until  noon,  then 
took  our  rations,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  our  time  in 
hospital-visiting,  and  in  learning  from  the  officers  what  was 
needed  to  be  sent  on  our  return  to  New  Orleans. 


326  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

While  engaged  in  other  matters,  we  fouiid  our  boat  had 
left  us,  and  was  steaming  away  perhaps  a  mile  from  us. 
Sister  Backus  was  greatly  disappointed  at  being  left,  and 
gave  way  to  despondency;  but  I  assured  her  it  was  all  for 
the  best,  and  that  as  the  Lord  had  heretofore  provided  for 
us,  so  he  would  provide  for  us  now.  We  returned  to  the 
tent  of  Mrs.  Green,  a  tidy  mulatto  woman,  where  we  had 
left  our  satchels.  As  she  met  us  and  learned  of  our  being 
left,  and  heard  sister  Backus  lament  over  "not  having 
where  to  lay  our  heads,"  she  quickly  replied:  "Yes,  you 
shall  have  a  place  for  your  heads.  In  that  chest  I  have 
plenty  of  bedding,  and  I  '11  dress  up  this  bed  for  you  two. 
My  husband  can  find  a  place  with  some  of  his  comrades, 
and  I'll  make  a  bed  for  myself  on  the  floor  till  the  boat 
comes  back."  "There,  sister  Backus,"  I  said,  "the  Lord 
is  providing  for  us  already."  Tears  filled  her  eyes.  She 
replied,  "  I  will  not  doubt  any  more." 

Mrs.  Green  had  a  nice  dinner  prepared  in  the  best 
style;  table-linen  of  the  finest  damask,  china  ware  and  solid 
silver  spoons,  pitcher,  forks,  and  plated  table  knives,  etc. 
I  inquired  how  this  came  about,  as  I  had  not  seen  a  table 
so  richly  set  since  coming  into  the  army.  Her  reply  was, 
that  both  of  their  fathers  were  wealthy  planters,  who  made 
them  free  when  they  died.  Her  husband  received  by  will 
twenty -five  thousand  dollars,  and  she  also  received  from 
her  father's  estate  a  fine  brick  residence.  They  had  it 
nicely  furnished,  and  their  property  was  valued  at  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  Her  husband  was  making  in  his  busi- 
ness from  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  dollars  a  month,  but 
he  was  so  confident  that  this  war  would  result  in  the  free- 
dom of  their  race  that  he,  with  others,  enlisted  in  a  col- 
ored regiment  for  seven  dollars  a  month,  under  the  rebel 
government,  with  a  secret  understanding  among  themselves 
that  they  would  all  go  in  with  the  Union  army  as  soon  as 
opportunity  presented.  The  opportunity  was  furnished  on 
the  taking  of  New  Orleans  by  Union  troops.  The  regiment 


FINDING    FRIEXDS.  327 

was  officered  by  men  of  their  own  color,  but  the  indignities 
they  received  at  the  hands  of  Union  commanders  caused 
their  officers  to  resign  their  positions.  One  of  the  many 
was  on  one  occasion  of  an  order  by  one  of  their  captains 
for  shoes  and  blankets  for  his  destitute  men.  It  was  not 
honored,  and  he  went  in  person  to  inform  the  commander 
how  needy  his  men  were.  The  reply  was  that  he  need  not 
expect  negro  regiments  to  be  supplied  the  same  as  white 
soldiers.  This  was  thrown  in  their  teeth  by  Confederates: 
"  You  see  what  you  get  by  going  over  to  the  Yankees. 
We  never  served  you  like  that,"  said  a  Confederate. 

We  found  Mr.  Green  an  intelligent  and  pleasant  man. 
Just  as  our  dinner  was  ready,  Captain  James  Noyce  called 
to  see  us,  and  urged  us  to  make  our  home  with  his  family 
during  our  stay  on  the  island.  We  told  him  of  the  kind 
offer  of  Mrs.  Green.  "  I  know,"  was  his  reply,  "  that  Mrs. 
Green  has  the  nicest  things  of  any  one  on  this  island,  but 
my  wife  and  I  want  you  with  us."  He  said  he  should  call 
for  us  in  two  hours,  which  he  did;  and  we  felt  that  our 
lots  were  cast  in  a  pleasant  place.  There  were  two  lieu- 
tenants boarding  with  them,  both  of  whom,  with  the  cap- 
tain, appeared  like  men  of  sterling  principle. 

While  enjoying  a  very  pleasant  social  visit  with  our 
new  friends,  sister  Backus  espied  the  life  of  Orange  Scott 
on  their  center  table  (a  goods-box  with  a  newspaper  spread). 
In  surprise  she  exclaimed:  "Sister  Haviland,  here  is  the 
life  of  Orange  Scott!  Isn't  this  home~-like?  away  here  iu 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico!" 

"Do  you  know  any  thing  of  Orange  Scott?"  inquired 
our  hostess. 

"  I  guess  we  do.  We  know  all  about  him,"  replied 
sister  Backus. 

"  You  are  not  Wesleyan  Methodists,  are  you?" 

"  Indeed  we  are,  both  of  us." 

She  almost  flew  at  us.  placing  her  hands  on  our  shoul- 
ders. "  I  do  n't  wonder  you  seemed  so  much  like  relatives. 


328  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

Orange  Scott  is  my  father,  and  Mr.  Noyce  and  I  are  Wes- 
leyans, "  and  she  laughed  and  cried  at  the  same  time.  The 
dear  little  homesick  woman  was  overjoyed.  She  had  been 
on  the  island  a  long  time  with  her  husband,  and  in  poor 
health,  sick  and  tired  of  army  life,  and  longing  for  her 
Northern  home.  Yet  she  would  not  consent  to  leave  her 
husband  so  long  as  he  could  stay  in  one  place  a  sufficient 
time  for  her  to  be  with  him.  But  he  was  fearful  it  was 
impairing  her  health.  On  her  account,  as  well  as  our  own, 
we  were  thankful  for  the  privilege  of  mingling  with  kin- 
dred spirits.  The  two  lieutenants  who  boarded  with  them 
brought  in  their  new  mattresses  to  make  a  double  bed  for  the 
captain  and  his  wife,  as  they  gave  up  their  own  bed  to  us 
during  our  stay.  This  left  the  lieutenants  to  sleep  on  the 
bare  tent  floor,  with  their  blankets  only.  But  we  did  not 
know  of  this  arrangement  until  the  day  we  left. 

April  9th  was  very  windy.  We  could  not  go  out  for 
the  drifting  sand,  without  being  thickly  veiled.  I  walked 
to  the  beach,  near  the  soldiers'  burying-grouud,  and  stood 
two  hours  watching  the  waves  as  they  lashed  the  bars  of 
sand.  Their  briny  spray  bedewed  the  graves  of  soldiers, 
who  had  fallen  far  away  from  their  kindred  and  their 
loved  ones,  in  their  Northern  hoihes.  I  could  not  repress 
the  tear  of  sympathy  as  these  reflections  came  to  me,  and 
I  listened  to  the  solemn  moan  of  the  ocean.  Yet  here  is 
the  God  of  peace  and  love. 

"  He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 
And  rides  upon  the  storm." 

This  evening  we  listened  to  Lieutenant  Kingsley's  thril- 
ling description  of  the  cruel  irons  he  filed  off  from  a  num- 
l)er  of  slaves,  who  were  too  intelligent  to  be  held  without 
severe  measures.  He  said  these  men  made  soldiers  who 
hesitated  not  to  brave  the  greatest  dangers.  His  experi- 
ence reminded  us  of  the  words  of  another : 

"Beware  the  time  when  that  chain  shall  break, 
That  galls  the  flesh  and  spirit; 


PRISONERS    IN    IRONS.  329 

When  the  yoke  is  thrown  from  the  bended  neck, 

That  is  chafed  too  much  to  bear  it. 
There  's  a  God  above,  that  looks  with,  a  frown, 
To  see  how  long  you  have  trodden  him  down." 

In  distributing  the  remainder  of  our  tracts  and  Testa- 
ments to  prisoners  Ave  met  a  number  of  very  intelligent 
men,  who  appeared  to  be  men  of  Christian  principles.  I 
always  made  it  a  point  to  say  nothing  to  a  prisoner  of  the 
particular  crime  that  placed  him  in  confinement,  but  di- 
rected his  thoughts  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  lover  of  sinners. 
As  my  sympathies  became  deeply  enlisted  in  behalf  of 
many  of  the  prisoners  in  irons,  I  inquired  of  Captain  Noyce, 
in  whose  charge  they  were,  what  crimes  these  soldiers  had 
committed,  that  they  should  be  confined  in  irons.  "  No 
crime,"  hS  answered. 

"Then  please  tell  me,"  I  said,  "why  they  are  here?" 

"  For  drunkenness,  being  late  at  roll-call,  absence  with- 
out leave,  and  selling  government  property,  mostly  ex- 
changing rations  for  groceries,  such  as  sugar  and  tea." 

"Is  this  possible?"  I  exclaimed.  •  "All  these  trivial 
offenses  have  been  settled  in  their  own  regiments  wherever 
else  I  have  been." 

"So  they  have  wherever  I  have  been,  until  I  came 
here.  But  you  seem  almost  to  disbelieve  my  word.  If 
you  do,  you  can  step  into,  my  office  and  examine  the  record 
for  yourself.  You  will  find  these  men  sentenced  from  one 
year  to  thirty-eight  for  the  offenses  I  have  named." 

"  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  your  word,  but  I  will  thank 
you  for  the  privilege  of  examining  that  record.  Who  pro- 
nounced these  sentences?" 

"Judge  Attocha." 

"  Who  is  Judge  Attocha?" 

"  He  was  a  rebel  captain,  but  after  New  Orleans  fell 
into  our  hands  he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  General 
Banks  promoted  him  by  giving  him  the  position  of  judge 
advocate." 


330  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  That  man  is  a  rebel  still,"  I  said.  "  He  is  doing  for 
the  rebel  cause  more  than  when  at  the  head  of  his  com- 
pany, in  the  rebel  ranks.  You  say  a  few  over  3,000  have 
jmssed  through  your  hands  here  and  on  the  Dry  Tortugas. 
We  read  in  the  paper,  the  day  we  left  New  Orleans,  an 
order  from  President  Lincoln  to  draft  men,  and  here  are 
three  whole  regiments  laid  upon  the  shelf.  Are  all  these 
Union  soldiers?" 

"  They  are  all  Union  soldiers.  "We  had  a  Confederate 
here  for  murder,  sentenced  for  a  year.  He  was  here  only 
three  months,  when  he  was  pardoned ;  and  on  your  return 
to  New  Orleans  you  may  see  him  walking  the  streets  as 
independent  as  yourself." 

"This  is  a  flagrant  wrong  in  holding  these  3,000  men. 
Why  don't  you  report  Judge  Attocha?" 

"He  outranks  me,  and  should  I  presume  to  do  it  I 
would  be  put  into  a  dungeon  myself,  and  probably  die 
there  without  an  investigation." 

Sister  Backus  and  I  went  into  the  office,  and  the  cap- 
tain brought  us  a  great  roll,  as  large  around  as  a  man's 
hat.  I  unrolled  a  few  feet,  and  read  the  name,  regiment, 
company,  offense,  and  penalty  of  each  man,  thus:  For 
drunkenness,  fifteen  years  hard  labor  with  ball  and  chain, 
and  all  wages  forfeited,  except  three  dollars  a  month ;  for 
selling  government  property,  eight  years  hard  labor,  with 
ball  and  chain,  and  all  wages  forfeited  except  three  dollars 
a  month.  Some  prisoners  were  sentenced  to  longer,  others 
to  shorter,  terms;  but  upon  all  were  imposed  the  same  for- 
feitures, and  all  were  put  in  irons.  One  man  from  near 
Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  was  sentenced  for  life.  His  offense 
was  simply  "  suspicious  character."  No  other  reason  for 
his  sentence  was  given.  I  handed  this  fearful  record  to 
sister  Backus,  and  we  both  read  with  heavy  hearts.  Every 
free  State  was  represented.  What  can  we  do,  we  asked 
ourselves,  for  these  poor  men,  some  of  whom  are  sick  and 
dying  with  scurvy  ?  This  was  a  query  hard  to  answer.  I 


VISITING   THE    PRISONERS.  331 

retired  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep,  wrestling  in  prayer  to  Him 
who  hears  the  sighs  of  the  prisoner  to  lead  me  to  a  door 
that  would  open  for  the  3,000  men  in  irons.  The  captain 
was  a  kind-hearted  man,  and  told  me  that  he  had  in  many 
cases  put  the  irons  on  so  loosely  that  they  could  relieve 
themselves  when  out  of  his  sight,  but  he  charged  them  to  be 
careful  not  to  allow  him  to  see  them  off.  On  account  of 
the  injustice  of  their  sentences,  he  had  favered  them  wher- 
ever he  could  do  so,  and  keep  his  own  record  clear. 

The  next  day,  April  10th,  was  Sunday.  The  morning 
was  clear  and  beautiful.  Sister  Backus  said : 

"  You  are  sick,  or  very  weary ;  for  you  groaned  in  your 
sleep  so  much  last  night." 

"  I  am  not  conscious  of  having  groaned,"  I  said;  "  but 
I  did  not  sleep  a  wink.  I  am  distressed,  and  have  spent 
the  night  in  prayer  for  a  guiding  hand  to  open  a  door  of 
relief  for  these  prisoners,  and  I  must  see  them  before  I 
leave  this  island.  I  am  this  morning  bearing  as  heavy  a 
heart  as  at  any  period  of  this  deadly  strife." 

"  Try  and  dismiss  this  subject  if  possible,"  she  returned, 
"as  they  have  appointed  a  meeting  for  us  in  the  regiment, 
and  I  presume  there  will  be  an  opportunity  for  you  to  see 
the  prisoners." 

As  best  I  could,  I  dismissed  the  all-absorbing  theme; 
and  according  to  previous  arrangement  we  met  the  regi- 
ment, with  a  few  gun-boat  soldiers  and  the  officers.  We 
enjoyed  a  favored  season,  and  found  a  liberty  of  spirit  our 
dear  Redeemer  only  can  give.  After  closing  the  services 
to  the  peace  of  my  own  mind,  and  to  the  apparent  satis- 
faction of  the  large  congregation,  Captain  James  Noyce 
came  to  me  and  said : 

"  You  are  certainly  too  weary  to  visit  the  prisoners 
now." 

"O  no,"  was  my  reply,  ".if  you  will  allow  me  that 
privilege." 

"  They  are  in  very  large  barracks,  and  it  is  a  very  un- 


332  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

pleasant  place  for  a  lady  to  visit ;  but  if  it  is  your  wish, 
these  gun-boat  officers  wanted  me  to  ask  you  if  you  had 
any  objections  to  their  going." 

"Not  at  all;  all  can  go  who  wish." 

Captain  Noyce  and  wife  took  us  to  the  barracks,  where 
the  prisoners  were  arranged  in  rows,  six  men  deep,  on  both 
sides  and  at  the  end,  leaving  an  aisle  three  feet  in  width 
between.  In  every  berth  there  was  a  man  in  a  horizontal 
position;  and  all  were  in  irons,  either  in  handcuffs  with 
chain,  or  in  a  clog  for  the  ankle,  to  which  was  attached  the 
chain  and  ball.  What  a  scene !  The  click  of  the  irons  at 
the  least  move  greeted  our  ears.  We  walked  midway  of 
the  long  aisle,  and  looked  over  the  sad  faces  before  us. 
Upon  the  necks  of  those  who  stood  near  vermin  were  to 
be  seen.  Filthy  and  ragged  were  many  of  these  poor 
boys.  Some  had  been  there  a  year,  without  change  of 
raiment.  I  could  say  nothing  of  the  injustice  of  their 
punishment ;  but  I  exhorted  them  to  come  forth  from  this 
furnace  of  affliction  with  higher,  nobler,  and  holier  aspira- 
tions than  ever  before,  and  to  lift  up  their  heads  in  hope 
of  better  days,  although  the  heavens  might  then  seem  as 
brass  and  the  earth  as  bars  of  iron.  I  spoke  a  few  min- 
utes, and  as  I  closed  my  remarks  I  turned  to  sister  Backus, 
standing  by,  and  asked  her  to  say  a  few  words  of  encour- 
agement, but  she  declined.  She  said  that  all  she  could  do 
was  to  weep  with  those  who  wept.  I  knelt  to  pour  out 
the  overflowings  of  a  full  heart  in  prayer,  and  as  I  did  so 
they  all  knelt  with  me,  amid  the  clank  and  clatter  of  irons 
that  made  it  necessary  to  wait  a  moment  to  be  heard. 

As  we  were  leaving,  two  prisoners  advanced  a  few  steps 
toward  us  and  said,  "  In  behalf  of  our  fellow-prisoners,  we 
return  to  you  our  thanks  for  the  kind  words  which  you 
have  spoken  to  us,  and  pray  God  to  restore  you  safe  to 
your  Northern  homes."  We  bade  them  adieu,  with  many 
tears.  After  leaving  this  place  we  visited  other  quarters 
equally  large,  with  similar  exj>erieuces. 


IN  A   ROW-BOAT.  333 

I  had  become  very  much  interested  in  a  number  with 
whom  I  conversed,  who  were  very  thankful  for  the  Testa- 
ments we  gave  them.  They  gave  evidence  of  possessing 
an  earnest  trust  in  God  and  of  enjoying  the  cleansing 
power  of  the  blood  of  his  dear  Sou. 

Accompanied  by  the  captain  and  his  wife,  on  Monday 
we  visited  the  light-house,  and  ascended  the  flight  of  steps 
of  sixty-four  feet.  The  weather  was  clear  and  calm,  and 
we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  one  side  and 
the  grand  expanse  of  the  ocean  on  the  other.  After  din- 
ner with  the  same  party,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant 
Kingsley,  we  took  a  ten-oar  row-boat  and  went  to  see  the 
burial-ground  of  four  hundred  deceased  soldiers.  The 
graves  were  all  plainly  marked  with  head-boards.  These 
soldiers  were  mostly  from  Maine  and  New  York,  with  a 
few  from  New  Jersey,  Wisconsin,  and  Michigan.  This 
was  another  solemn  place  for  reflection.  The  soldiers' 
grave-yard  on  this  island  differs  somewhat  from  all  others. 
Here  their  funeral  dirge  will  never  cease;  the  requiem  of 
the  ocean's  surge  will  ever  sound  as  if  saying,  "Sleep  on 
undisturbed  until  the  last  trump  shall  wake  the  nations 
of  the  dead !" 

We  returned  to  our  boat,  and  pursued  our  way  to  the 
extremity  of  the  island.  Here  the  picket -guards  were 
much  pleased  to  see  us.  They  had  been  on  the  island 
about  two  years,  ever  since  it  was  taken  from  the  Confed- 
erates. We  gathered  a  basket  of  shells,  and  our  men 
gathered  a  quantity  of  crabs  for  breakfast.  We  were  pre- 
sented with  some  beautiful  shells  by  one  of  the  pickets. 
We  returned  home,  having  had  a  ten  miles'  ride.  We 
passed  the  wreck  of  a  ship  burned  many  years  ago,  which 
gave  this  island  its  name.  We  could  clearly  see  its  charred 
cabin  twenty  or  thirty  feet  below  the  surface.  So  clear 
was  the  water  it  did  not  seem  more  than  eight  or  ten  feet 
deep  over  the  white  sand,  upon  which  beautiful  shell-fish 
were  crawling,  as  if  to  beautify  the  grand  scene  so  new  to  us. 


334  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

In  a  long  conversation  with  Lieutenant  Kingsley  con- 
cerning his  religious  experience,  he  said  he  was  not  satis- 
fied with  his  attainments  in  the  divine  life,  and  very  earn- 
estly requested  to  be  remembered  at  a  throne  of  grace. 
The  moon  rose  full  and  clear  on  the  sparkling  face  of  the 
deep,  reminding  us  of  David's  sublime  thoughts  when  he 
exclaims  in  the  eighth  Psalm:  "When  I  consider  thy 
heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  the  stars, 
which  thou  hast  ordained ;  what  is  man,  that  thou  art 
mindful  of  him?  and  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest 
him?  For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower  than  the  an- 
gels, and  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor." 

After  our  return  we  enjoyed  a  season  of  prayer,  in 
which  Lieutenant  Kiugsley  was  earnestly  remembered,  and 
he  expressed  himself  greatly  encouraged.  Leaving  all  those 
burdened  souls  with  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  cares  for  all  that 
he  has  redeemed  with  his  own  precious  blood,  I  retired 
to  rest. 

The  next  day  one  of  the  prisoners  came  to  inform  me 
that  their  keeper  had  granted  them  the  privilege  of  asking 
me  if  I  would  take  a  petition  from  them  to  General  Weit- 
zel,  former  commander  of  seventy  of  their  number.  They 
had  heard  he  was  then  in  New  Orleans,  and  they  thought 
if  he  could  do  any  thing  for  their  release  he  would,  as  he 
was  a  very  kind  officer.  I  cordially  assented  to  his  request, 
of  course,  and  he  thanked  me  with  tears.  In  company 
with  the  captain  and  wife  we  visited  the  gigantic  fort  that 
had  been  two  years  in  building,  but  was  not  yet  completed. 
It  was  to  cost  two  million  dollars.  The  brick  wall  at  the 
base  is  six  feet  thick,  and  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men 
were  employed  on  it  when  we  were  there.  It  is  constructed 
to  mount  forty  cannons. 

At  supper  I  received  a  request  from  Lieutenant  Fos- 
ter, who  was  sick,  to  visit  him.  I  found  him  in  low 
spirits.  He  wished  me  to  write  a  request  to  his  wife  to 
come  to  him,  which  I  did.  I  read  to  him  some  extracts 


THE  PRISONERS'  PETITION.  335 

from  an  excellent  little  work,  "The  Soldier's  Armor,"  and 
a  chapter  in  the  best  of  all  books,  closing  with  prayer. 
Lieutenant  Foster  seemed  a  devout  Christian  man,  and 
expressed  great  satisfaction  with  this  interview.  The  cap- 
tain smiled  on  my  return,  saying  I  had  "  better  remain 
with  them  and  be  their  chaplain." 

On  April  13th  we  made  a  few  calls,  and  two  of  the 
soldiers'  wives  came  for  us  to  dine  with  them.  I  made  a 
copy  of  the  record  of  the  soldier  prisoners,  as  a  specimen 
of  their  alleged  crimes,  and  the  penalties  imposed  upon 
them.  One  of  the  prisoners  brought  me  their  petition, 
which  reads  as  follows: 

"  SHIP  ISLAND,  April  12,  1864. 

"MAJOR-GENERAL  WEITZEL:  Sir, — We  whose  names  are 
affixed,  prisoners  on  Ship  Island,  respectfully  beg  our  release, 
and  that  we  be  allowed  to  return  to  our  respective  regiments. 
We  are  here  for  various  military  offenses,  and  for  nothing  crim- 
inal. Nearly  all  of  us  have  participated  in  the  engagements 
under  your  lead  in  this  department,  both  on  the  battle-field 
and  on  the  long,  wearisome  inarches  we  have  been  called  to 
undergo;  and  we  have  always  followed  cheerfully  wherever  you 
have  led.  We  naturally  feel  that  you  are  the  proper  person  to 
appeal  to  to  give  us  one  more  chance  to  redeem  ourselves.  And 
we  solemnly  assure  you  that  we  never  will,  by  any  unsoldier- 
like  act,  give  you  any  occasion  to  regret  any  act  of  clemency 
that  you  may  exercise  toward  us.  Many  of  us  have  families 
dependent  on  us  for  support,  and  are  suffering  for  our  forfeited 
wages.  Many  of  us  are  already  suffering  from  that  dread 
scourge — the  scurvy — which  must  increase  to  a  fearful  extent 
in  this  tropical  climate  as  the  season  advances  and  sweep,  us 
away.  And  now  that  the  campaign  is  open  and  advancing, 
and  men  are  needed,  we  hope  we  may  be  permitted  to  return 
to  the  field,,  and  by  future  faithfulness  in  our  country's  cause 
be  able  to  return  to  our  homes  with  what  all  good  men  so 
highly  prize — untarnished  characters.  Should  you  exercise  your 
influence  in  our  favor  in  procuring  our  release,  rest  assured 
you  will  ever  be  remembered  with  gratitude." 

This  petition  was  signed  by  ' '  Moses  Fuller,"  sentenced 
to  three  years'  hard  labor,  with  ball  and  chain,  and  forfeited 
wages,  except  three  dollars  a  mouth,  charged  with  selling 


336  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

government  property,  to  wit :  exchanging  his  surplus* 
rations;  but  Judge  Attocha  would  listen  to  no  witness  in 
the  case."  Sixty-nine  other  names  were  appended  to  this 
petition. 

Our  anxiously  looked  for  steamer,  the  Clyde,  came  in 
view,  but  it  was  too  windy  for  it  to  land  until  noon.  It 
brought  about  thirty  prisoners,  who  had  come  in  with  a 
flag  of  truce,  mostly  white  refugees.  One  family  was  from 
Mobile.  The  woman  said  the  suffering  from  the  war  was 
not  much  there,  and  all  she  knew  any  thing  about  had 
enough  to  eat  and  wear.  ' '  But  I  reckon  poor  people  suf- 
fer," she  said,  evidently  wishing  us  to  understand  she  was 
not  poor.  She  had  two  servants  to  wait  on  her  and  five 
children.  But  her  servants  seemed  to  think  they  were 
free  here,  and  said  they  should  leave  her  unless  she  paid 
them  wages.  There  were  a  number  of  slaves  who  came 
here  for  freedom.  I  called  on  Colonel  Grosveuor,  the 
commandant  of  the  post,  who  appeared  like  a  kind-hearted 
officer,  and  he  approved  of  the  petition.  The  next  day, 
April  14th,  we  took  the  Clyde  for  New  Orleans,  after 
being  a  week  on  the  island.  On  our  way  to  the  boat  a 
soldier  came  running  to  overtake  us,  with  a  message  from 
another  soldier  that  he  had  that  morning  found  peace  in 
believing.  He  would  have  come  himself,  only  that  he  was 
on  picket-guard  and  could  not  leave;  but  he  wanted  us  to 
know  that  our  mission  was  not  in  vain. 

As  Ship  Island  receded  from  view  sister  Backus,  as  well 
as  myself,  felt  thankful  that  our  Heavenly  Father  had 
ordered  all  things  well  in  regard  to  our  having  been  left 
"  'way  off  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico." 

We  reached  our  pleasant  New  Orleans  home,  at  Elder 
Rogers's  April  16th,  and  were  as  kindly  received  as  if  we 
had  been  friends  of  many  years'  standing.  The  next  day, 
after  a  good  night's  rest,  we  made  an  effort  to  find  General 
Weitzel,  but  failed.  At  two  P.  M.,  we  attended  prayer- 
meeting  and  had  a  rich  season  of  communing  with  our 


GENERAL   WEITZEL.  337 

Heavenly  Father.  There  were  present  two  chaplains,  one 
of  whom  had  been  at  various  points  in  Arkansas,  and  he 
gave  a  thrilling  account  of  some  engagements  his  regiment 
had  had  with  the  enemy.  The  other  was  just  from  the 
dreadful  fight  at  Alexandria,  up  the  river.  It  is  reported 
and  believed  by  thousands  that  the  rebel  general  came  to 
General  Banks  with  a  flag  of  truce  and  informed  him  that, 
unless  he  withdrew  his  colored  troops,  he  should  take  no 
prisoners  and  give  no  quarter.  Report  said  further  that 
they  were  withdrawn  and  were  not  permitted  to  advance 
on  the  enemy,  as  they  desired,  and  the  consequence  was 
an  awful  slaughter  of  our  Northern  men.  The  colored 
troops  complained  of  inactivity  in  the  field  more  than  any 
thing  else.  We  found  along  the  whole  length  of  the  river 
fortifications  built,  streets  in  cities  cleaned,  and  the  greater 
part  of  manual  labor  performed  by  colored  soldiers. 

We  renewed  our  efforts  to  find  General  Weitzel,  visit- 
ing all  the  offices  of  the  army  we  could  hear  of.  Some 
reported  that  he  was  up  Red  River  assisting  General  Banks, 
but  at  length,  with  thoroughly  blistered  feet,  I  found  him. 
I  introduced  myself,  as  usual,  by  handing  him  my  papers 
from  Governor  Blair  and  F.  C.  Beaman,  member  of  Con- 
gress. After  looking  them  over,  he  asked : 
"  What  can  I  do  for  you?" 

"  I  hope  you  can  do  something,"  I  said,  "  toward  re- 
leasing three  thousand  of  our  soldiers  now  confined  on  Ship 
Island  and  the  Dry  Tortugas,  seventy  of  whom  have  served 
under  you;  and  here  is  a  petition  from  them." 

He  took  it,  and  read  the  petition,  and  not  more  than  a 
half-dozen  names  perhaps,  before  he  became  too  much  ex- 
cited to  read  further.  "Mrs.  Haviland,"  he  said,  "these 
are  as  noble  soldiers  as  I  ever  had  serve  under  me.  I  don't 
think  Moses  Fuller,  or  any  of  the  others,  is  capable  of  doing 
a  wrong  act.  They  are  the  most  conscientious  men  I  ever 
knew.  Judge  Attocha  has  no  right  to  give  these  sentences ; 
he  has  no  business  in  this  department  of  the  work." 


338  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  Can  't  you  do  something  for  their  release?"  I  asked. 

"  If  I  were  in  command  I  would  tell  you  very  quick; 
but  General  Banks  is  the  one  you  ought  to  see." 

"I  am  aware  of  that;  but  he  is  beyond  my  reach  up 
Red  River.  And  they  told  me  they  sent  him  a  petition 
similar  to  this  three  months  ago;  but  they  had  heard 
nothing  from  it." 

"  I  will  do  what  I  can  toward  getting  up  a  committee 
to  investigate  and  report  these  facts." 

"Do  you  think  you  can  accomplish  any  thing  in  their 
favor?" 

"  I  fear  it  is  doubtful,  but  will  do  what  I  can." 

This  was  but  little  relief  to  me ;  but  what  could  I  do 
further?  I  called  at  the  Christian  Commission  rooms,  dis- 
couraged and  weary,  while  sister  Backus  returned  to  our 
quarters.  These  rooms  I  found  well  filled  with  officers, 
among  whom  were  generals  of  high  rank,  indicated  by  the 
eagles  and  stars  on  their  shoulders. 

"Here  comes  Mrs.  Havilaud,  from  Ship  Island.  And 
how  did  you  find  things  there?"  said  brother  Diossy. 

"Sad  enough,"  was  my  reply;  and  I  handed  him  a 
copy  of  the  petition  that  I  gave  General  Weitzel,  with  the 
extract  of  the  record  of  fifteen  prisoners,  detailing  the  of- 
fense and  penalty  of  each.  The  officers  gathered  around 
to  see  and  hear. 

"This  is  too  bad,"  said  one. 

"Can't  you  do  something  for  these  soldiers?"  I  inquired. 

"  I  wish  I  could ;  but  I  can't  leave  my  post." 

Said  another,  "  It  is  a  pity  some  one  does  n't." 

I  turned  to  him  with,  "Can't  you  do  something  for 
their  release?" 

"It  is  the  same  with  me,"  he  answered;  "I  can  not 
leave  my  post." 

"  Some  one  ought  to  see  to  their  release.  Can  not 
you  see  to  their  release?" 

"I  tell  you,  madam,  it  is  hard  to  do  much  for  each  other." 


STATING   THE   CASE.  339 

"  Gentlemen,"  I  responded,  "  I  have  learned  one  thing 
thoroughly  since  being  with  the  army,  and  that  is,  it  is- 
almost  impossible  to  get  one  officer  to  touch  another's  red- 
tape.  But  position  or  no  position,  head  or  no  head,  these 
flagrant  wrongs  ought  to  be  plowed  up  beam  deep.  Here 
comes  an  order  from  President  Lincoln  for  drafting  men, 
and  Judge  Attocha  has  laid  three  thousand  on  the  shelf, 
when  all  they  ask  is  to  be  permitted  to  return  to  their 
respective  regiments.  That  man  is  serving  the  rebel  cause 
more  effectually  than  when  at  the  head  of  his  company  in 
the  rebel  ranks,  by  decimating  the  Union  army  ;  and  here 
you  have  it  in  a  tangible  form.  I  am  informed  that  Judge 
Attocha  was  a  rebel  captain.  He  is  a  rebel  still,  and  in 
the  exercise  of  this  authority  is  banishing  your  soldiers  for 
trivial  military  offenses,  in  irons,  with  forfeited  wages,  for 
which  their  families  are  now  suffering." 

The  thought  struck  me,  What  will  these  officers  think, 
to  see  a  little  old  woman  talking  to  them  like  this?  for  I 
addressed  them  as  I  would  a  group  of  ten-year-old  boys. 
I  had  lost  all  reverence  for  shoulder-straps,  and  cast  a 
glance  over  my  audience,  when  I  saw  a  number  in  tears. 
Surely  there  are  hearts  here  that  feel,  I  thought  to  myself. 
I  turned  to  brother  Diossy,  and  said,  "  You  can  leave  your 
position,  and  get  another  to  occupy  your  place  here?" 

"  Yes,  I  could,  if  it  would  avail  any  thing ;  but  it 
would  be  impossible  for  me  to  accomplish  what  you  have 
done  on  Ship  Island." 

"  Why?    The  idea  seems  to  me  perfectly  preposterous." 

"  I  will  tell  you  why.  There  is  so  much  wire-pulling 
here  in  the  army.  I  would  be  suspected  of  trying  to  dis- 
place an  officer  for  the  position  for  myself,  or  for  a  friend 
standing  behind  me.  Consequently  I  could  not  have  ex- 
amined the  record  as  you  did." 

"  That  is  true,"  rejoined  a  general.  "  I  presume  there 
is  not  one  of  us  that  could  have  had  access  to  those  records 

that  you  had,  for  the  reason  that  Mr.  Diossy  has  given. 

23 


340  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

They  know  you  have  no  such  object  in  view,  but  see  you 
•as  a  sort  of  soldiers'  mother ;  and  records,  or  any  sort  of 
investigation,  would  be  opened  to  you  when  it  would  be 
closed  to  us." 

I  told  them  I  had  not  viewed  it  from  that  stand-point. 

One  of  the  officers,  a  very  large  man,  six  feet  and  four 
inches  tall,  I  should  judge,  stepped  up  to  me  in  officer-like 
style.  "  What  do  you  propose  to  do  with  facts  you  gath- 
ered on  Ship  Island?" 

I  looked  up  in  his  face,  a  little  hesitating. 

"  I  say,  madam,  what  do  you  propose  to  do  with  these 
papers  ?" 

"I  can  hardly  answer  intelligently,"  I  replied;  "but 
I  will  tell  you  one  thing  I  do  propose  to  do,  and  that  is, 
to  take  these  facts  from  one  officer  to  another,  over  all  the 
rounds  of  the  ladder,  until  they  reach  the  highest  official 
at  Washington,  but  what  justice  shall  be  done  to  those 
poor  soldiers  in  irons." 

He  settled  back,  with  softened  tone.  "  Well,  it  ought 
to  be  done." 

The  commanding  appearance  and  tone,  with  the  changed 
mellow  voice,  of  that  officer  is  still  vividly  remembered. 

There  were  two  chaplains  in  this  company  who  said 
they  would  unite  with  General  Weitzel  on  the  committee 
he  proposed,  and  they  could  learn  within  a  week  whether 
they  could  accomplish  any  thing  in  their  behalf.  If  fa- 
vorable, Chaplain  Conway  said  he  would  write  me  at 
Adrian,  as  we  were  soon  to  return  to  our  homes,  and 
would  write,  as  I  requested,  by  two  boats  in  succession,  as 
guerrillas  were  at  that  time  frequently  interrupting  boats. 
If  no  letter  was  received  within  two  weeks  I  was  to  accept 
it  as  granted  that  nothing  could  be  done  for  them  in  that 
department. 

At  2  o'clock  we  attended  prayer-meeting,  where  we  met 
many  soldiers  and  two  chaplains.  I  was  called  upon  to  give 
a  sketch  of  our  Ship  Island  visit,  and  at  the  close  a  frail 


AT    A    COTTON-PRESS.  o41 

appearing  young  man  was  introduced  to  me  at  his  own  re- 
quest, who  had  recently  been  a  victim  to  this  wholesale 
injustice  to  soldiers.  I  had  observed  him  weeping  freely 
while  I  was  presenting  the  wrongs  and  claims  of  those  pris- 
oners. He  said  he  had  just  been  rescued  from  a  like  fate. 
The  offense  charged  was  disrespect  to  an  officer,  who  was 
drunk  at  the  time,  and  was  unreasonable  with  him.  "I 
was  imprudent  enough,"  he  said,  "  to  answer  back  in  my 
own  defense.  For  this  1  was  thrown  into  prison,  and  re- 
ceived the  sentence  of  three  years'  hard  labor  with  ball  and 
chain,  and  forfeited  all  my  wages  except  three  dollars  a 
mouth." 

Brother  Diossy  urged  our  going  to  Tortugas ;  also  three 
chaplains  thought  it  my  duty  to  go  and  investigate  the 
condition  of  the  two  thousand  prisoners  there.  So  intent 
were  they  on  my  going  that  they  said  I  could  have  trans- 
portation to  New  York  by  way  of  the  Gulf,  from  thence 
to  Washington,  and  thence  to  my  home.  My  reporting 
these  facts  would  be  the  speediest  mode  of  effecting  their 
release.  But  as  Captain  Noyce  was  in  possession  of  the 
records  of  all  that  passed  through'  his  hand,  many  at  Tor- 
tugas being  of  this  number,  and  this  extract  was  a  correct 
basis  from  which  to  judge  the  3,000  at  Ship  Island  and 
the  Tortugas,  it  seemed  to  me  equivalent  to  a  personal  visit. 
Yet,  if  there  was  no  other  way  to  secure  their  release,  I 
would  gladly  do  it. 

On  Sunday,  April  17th,  we  visited  a  cotton  press,  in 
which  were  one  hundred  freed  people,  without  a  comfort- 
able bed  for  their  sick  and  dying.  As  in  other  places,  the 
able  bodied  men  were  taken  for  soldiers,  and  their  families 
left  homeless  and  unprovided  for.  They  seemed  at  first  to 
look  upon  us  with  suspicion,  either  as  whilom  slaveowners 
come  to  persuade  them  back  to  their  old  homes,  or  land- 
sharks,  to  take  the  women  and  half-grown  children  to  work 
for  little  or  nothing,  until  guerillas  should  "gobble"  them 
up.  But  we  soon  disarmed  them  of  all  suspicion,  and  read 


342  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  spoke  encouraging  words  to  them,  in  passing  through 
this  transition  state.  From  them  we  went  to  the  river 
bank  to  see  five  hundred  prisoners  of  war,  captured  up 
Red  River.  Many  of  them  were  citizens  of  New  Orleans. 

On  returning  we  went  to  a  meeting  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple, where  we  found  Uncle  Tom's  spirit  waiting  confidently 
for  the  "  better  day  a-coming."  A  number  of  white  sol- 
diers present  encouraged  us  with  kind  words.  After  re- 
freshments we  attended  another  meeting,  and  listened  to 
an  instructive  sermon  by  a  colored  chaplain,  of  the  Second 
"  Corps  d'  Afrique,"  as  the  colored  regiments  were  called 
in  that  part  of  the  country.  He  was  the  first  colored  man 
who  received  an  appointment  from  the  government. 

At  4  P.  M.  we  visited  the  colored  Sabbath-school  of 
seven  hundred  at  the  Medical  College.  Chaplain  Con  way 
superintended.  Colonel  Hanks,  General  Bauks's  wife,  and 
a  number  of  other  visitors  were  present.  Dr.  John  P. 
Newman  addressed  the  school,  and  gave  a  thrilling  narra- 
tive of  his  visit  to  the  Holy  Land,  exhibiting  the  native 
scrip,  sandals,  girdle,  goat-skin  bottle,  a  Palestine  lantern, 
and  sundry  other  curiosities.  After  a  few  encouraging  re- 
marks by  Col.  Hanks,  the  superintendent  unexpectedly 
called  upon  me  to  address  the  school.  After  the  session 
closed  I  was  introduced  to  Mrs.  Banks,  who  wished  me  to 
write  out  the  sketch  of  the  facts  I  had  gathered  on  Ship 
Island  for  her  to  send  to  her  husband.  This  I  did.  She 
said  that  Judge  Attocha  promised  General  Banks  that  he 
would  do  all  in  his  power  for  the  Union  cause,  and  now 
in  this  way  he  was  paying  him  for  his  promotion. 

After  giving  my  statements  to  Mrs.  Banks,  and  the 
petition  to  General  Weitzel,  I  felt  that  I  could  leave  for 
home  on  the  first  boat  going  North ;  yet  we  had  but  little 
hope  of  success  in  behalf  of  the  the  3,000  prisoners  in  this 
department.  We  took  passage  on  the  hospital  transport 
Thomas,  bound  for  Cairo,  with  eighty  wounded  soldiers 
from  the  Red  River  expedition,  all  discharged  or  furloughed 


AT    PL.AQUEMTNE.  343 

for  home.  Medical  Inspector  Stipp  kindly  gave  us  a  state- 
room. We  were  grateful  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  the 
many  kind  friends  we  everywhere  found,  although  sur- 
rounded by  hitter  enemies.  The  boat  did  not  design  stop- 
ping until  it  reached  Baton  Rouge;  but  I  wanted  to  stop 
at  Plaquemine  to  get  the  little  girl  Matilda,  previously 
mentioned,  to  take  to  her  mother,  who  had  made  her  es- 
cape a  few  years  before. 

After  breakfast,  dressing  wounds  was  the  order  of  the 
day.  I  kept  off  the  flies  during  the  process,  as  it  was  very 
difficult  otherwise  to  keep  them  away,  the  stench  being  so 
great.  Poor  boys!  there  were  all  sorts  of  wounds  among 
them, — saber-cuts  and  bullet-wounds  in  the  head,  neck, 
shoulders,  arms,  hands,  body,  legs,  and  feet,  of  all  shapes 
and  sizes.  O  what  horrid  mangling!  Yet  the  same  pa- 
tience that  so  remarkably  characterized  the  Union  soldier 
everywhere  was  seen  here.  It  was  hard  to  restrain  tears 
in  their  presence,  but  we  gave  vent  to  them  when  in  our 
state-room. 

I  was  unexpectedly  called  for  at  Plaquemine,  as  I  was 
informed  that  Medical  Inspector  Stipp  had  ordered  the 
TJiomas  to  stop  for  me.  They  were  already  lauding  before 
they  found  me.  I  caught  up  rny  bonnet  and  shawl  and 
threw  them  on  while  hastening  through  the  cabin.  Sister 
Backus  ran  with  me  to  the  plank,  where  we  snatched  a 
parting  kiss.  I  jumped  ashore,  sister  Backus,  surgeons, 
and  a  few  others  waving  good-by  signals  with  their  hand- 
kerchiefs. The  Thomas  pushed  out  into  the  channel,  and 
the  next  moment  found  me  without  my  official  papers, 
pocket-book,  or  portfolio;  all  were  gone  on  to  Baton  Rouge 
with  my  friend  Letitia  Backus.  In  my  haste  they  had 
been  forgotten.  As  I  was  inquiring  for  the  name  of  Eliza's 
sister  of  a  colored  picket,  he  recognized  me  at  once,  being 
from  Detroit.  He  said  he  had  heard  me  speak  iu  the 
colored  church  in  that  city,  and  urged  me  to  speak  for 
them  the  next  evening  iu  their  confiscated  Methodist  Epis- 


344  A  WOMAN'S  I.IPK-WORK. 

copal  Church.  I  consented,  and  found  the  two  sisters, 
with  little  Matilda,  almost  wild  with  delight. 

I  soon  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  my  Detroit 
acquaintance,  who  called  with  a  few  other  young  men  that 
knew  me;  and  here,  too,  I  was  surrounded  by  friends,  but  they 
expressed  fears  of  my  not  securing  transportation  to  Baton 
Rouge,  because  their  commander  was  cross  and  was  known 
to  issue  but  few  orders  for  transportation.  But  I  went  to 
his  office  and  told  him  what  my  business  was  in  the  army, 
and  why  I  called  there;  that,  on  leaving  the  floating  hospi- 
tal in  haste,  I  forgot  my  official  papers,  and  consequently 
had  nothing  by  which  he  could  judge  whether  my  state- 
ment was  correct  or  not.  I,  however,  had  presumed  to 
call  on  him  to  see  if  I  could  secure  transportation  for 
myself  and  that  little  girl  of  twelve  years. 

"Well,  I  think  your  motherly  face  will  take  you  to 
Baton  Rouge,"  he  answered.  "There  is  a  regular  packet 
running  to  that  city,  and  I  will  send  a  note  by  you  to  the 
captain  that  will  secure  your  passage,  although  it  is  not  a 
government  boat.  The  captain  has  received  favors  from 
me,  and  will  gladly  make  this  return." 

He  handed  me  a  paper  that  requested  a  state-room 
and  board  for  us,  for  which  continued  thankfulness  filled 
my  heart. 

The  friends  of  Eliza  and  of  another  escaped  slave, 
Fleming,  came  in  to  inquire  after  them,  and  to  tell  long 
stories  of  the  efforts  put  forth  for  their  capture.  But  Bis- 
sel,  Slaughter,  and  "Old  Eaton,"  as  they  called  him,  only 
had  the  opportunity  of  gratifying  themselves  in  threats. 

The  colored  minister  in  the  regiment  took  much  pains 
in  circulating  notice  of  the  meeting,  and  the  church  was 
well  filled.  We  enjoyed  the  presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus  in 
our  midst.  There  were  those  there  who  had  felt  the  bitter 
pangs  of  family  separations,  with  cruel  treatment,  who 
wept  for  joy  in  speaking  of  the  precious  boon  of  freedom. 
Some  of  them  were  fearful  that  it  would  last  no  longer 


A    GUERRILLA    CAPTAIN.  345 

than  the  war;  hut  I  assured  them,  as  officers  and  soldiers 
had  done,  that  it  was  a  fixed  fact. 

The  packet  Bank  came  in  at  five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  April 
21st,  when  we  took  leave  of  kind  friends  who  accompanied 
us  to  the  boat.  After  a  pleasant  trip,  we  were  received 
with  joy  on  our  safe  arrival  at  Baton  Rouge.  The  next 
day  we  visited  the  Forty-eighth  Illinois  Regiment,  and  dis- 
tributed a  quantity  of  reading  matter.  We  also  attended 
the  funeral  of  a  deceased  soldier,  where  the  privilege  was 
granted  me  of  making  some  remarks.  I  endeavored  to 
enforce  the  solemn  truth,  "It  is  appointed  unto  man  once 
to  die,  and  after  this  the  judgment."  I  exhorted  those 
present  to  prepare  to  live  in  friendship  with  God,  as  that 
alone  would  enable  them  to  gain  the  victory  over  death. 

On  April  23d  we  visited  the  jail,  in  company  with 
brother  Merrifield,  and  distributed  Testaments  and  tracts, 
which  were  gladly  received.  Here  AVC  met  a  rebel  captain, 
who  said  he  was  a  rebel  of  the  strongest  kind ;  had  been 
fighting  to  establish  his  government,  and  should  do  it  again 
if  he  lived  to  get  to  his  regiment.  I  told  him  I  had  no 
hope  in  his  case,  unless  he  would  accept  the  truth  con- 
tained in  the  Testament,  which  I  presented  to  him,  and 
said  that  if  he  would  read  carefully  and  prayerfully,  and 
drink  in  its  spirit  and  practice  its  teachings,  he  would  find 
a  religion  pure  and  undefiled. 

"Madam,"  he  answered,  "if  I  thought  reading  that 
book  carefully  and  prayerfully,  and  accepting  pure  and 
undefiled  religion,  would  lead  me  to  lay  down  arms  in  de- 
fense of  the  Confederate  Government,  I  would  never  read 
a  word  in  it  or  take  one  thought  of  religion;  no,  not  to 
save  my  soul." 

This  he  uttered  with  a  change  from  a  flushed  to  a 
blanched  countenance.  We  afterwards  learned  he  was  a 
captain  of  a  guerrilla  baud,  and  had  been  sentenced  to  be 
shot,  but  the'  sentence  had  been  commuted.  A  Union 
man  who  was  a  citizen  here  knew  him,  and  said  he  ordered 


346  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

a  Union  man  out  of  his  buggy,  and  shot  him  dead ;  then 
he  bayoneted  him  through  and  through,  in  the  presence 
of  his  wife  and  child ;  then  ordered  them  out,  took  the 
horse  and  buggy,  and  left  the  distracted  wife  ami  child  to 
wait  by  the  mangled  body,  until  a  passer  by  hastened  to 
the  city  and  sent  a  hearse  for  the  body.  On  the  way  to 
town  for  burial,  the  same  band  of  guerrillae  captured  the 
team  and  hearse,  and  left  again  the  distressed  mother  aud 
child  to  get  the  mutilated  body  of  the  husband  and  father 
taken  to  burial  as  best  they  could.  "  Such  horrible  deeds," 
said  a  Union  man  of  this  city,  "  will  continue  until  gov- 
ernment takes  a  more  decided  policy." 

On  Sunday  morning,  April  24th,  we  attended  the  sun- 
rise prayer-meeting  among  the  colored  people,  and  more 
earnest  prayers  I  never  heard  for  Union  soldiers:  never 
heard  more  earnest  pleading  for  the  triumph  of  liberty. 
God  was  truly  overshadowing  his  own.  Before  the  rising 
of  the  sun,  there  was  a  large  congregation.  At  nine  o'clock 
we  were  invited  to  make  some  opening  remarks  in  brother 
Tucker's  Sabbath-school  of  three  hundred  children.  Then 
we  were  conducted  to  another  Sabbath-school,  where  we  were 
invited  to  make  a  few  closing  remarks.  At  11  o'clock  we 
attended  a  meeting  led  by  Chaplain  Berge.  On  returning 
to  our  boarding-place,  we  were  called  upon  by  brother  Mer- 
rifield,  who  accompanied  us  into  the  fort  to  address  the 
colored  troops.  Sister  Backus  referred  to  the  importance 
of  making  themselves  intelligent,  so  that  when  their  rights 
were  established  as  citizens,  they  would  be  prepared  to 
vote  understandingly.  This  brought  smiles  from  the  offi- 
cers, and  frowns  from  a  few  of  the  white  soldiers.  We 
also  attended  a  meeting  conducted  by  the  chaplain  of  the 
general  hospital,  who  preached  a  very  appropriate  sermon 
for  officers  as  well  as  soldiers.  He  warned  against  the 
truckling,  time-serving,  and  cotton-speculating  manifesta- 
tions in  this  war,  and  also  the  influence  of  Southern  women 
in  sympathy  with  the  rebellion. 


COLORED   OFFICERS.  347 

This  was  the  sixth  religious  service  we  attended  during 
the  day,  in  four  of  which  we  had  taken  an  active  part. 
We  retired  to  rest  until  the  6:30  o'clock  meeting  at  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  now  turned  over  to  Chaplain 
Brakeman,  who  was  called  away  the  previous  day.  He 
had  left  an  urgent  request  for  me  to  address  the  soldiers 
on  Sabbath  evening;  but  I  told  the  chaplain  who  brought 
the  word  we  could  make  no  further  engagements,  as  we 
were  waiting  hourly  for  a  boat  going  up  the  river.  Before 
six,  a  steamer  stopped,  and  we  took  passage  for  Natchez, 
as  we  had  business  to  see  to  concerning  an  orphan  asylum. 
One  of  the  chaplains  said  if  we  could  realize  the  good  it 
was  doing  the  soldiers,  we  would  visit  them  ofteuer ;  that 
there  were  more  conversions  during  the  week  after  we  left 
than  in  many  months  previously.  An  exhortation  from  a 
mother  reminded  the  soldiers  of  home  and  home  influences. 

We  had  a  conversation  with  a  colored  captain,  who 
had  just  resigned  on  account  of  the  constant  indignities 
heaped  upon  the  colored  troops.  He  was  a  man  of  wealth 
and  intelligence,  and  gave  us  an  account  of  a  review  by 
General  Sherman,  after  General  Butler  left.  When  Gen- 
eral Sherman  came  to  him,  he  stopped  to  look  at  the  bars 
on  his  shoulders,  and  gruffly  asked,  "  Are  you  a  captain?" 
"Yes,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "  O,  you  are  too  black  for  a 
captain,"  said  the  general.  At  Fort  Hudson,  when  our 
troops  were  retreating  under  a  galling  fire,  a  colored  cap- 
tain, with  his  men,  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  ran  to  bring  out 
General  Sherman,  who  was  badly  wounded,  and  would 
have  died  but  for  the  daring  feat  of  the  colored  soldiers. 
The  colored  captain  lost  his  life,  but  General  Sherman  was 
rescued.  Since  then  he  has  spoken  highly  of  colored  sol- 
diers, and  of  the  brave  captains  that  led  them.  My  in- 
formant said  that  after  General  Banks  assumed  command 
they  hoped  for  better  treatment,  but  their  hopes  were  vain. 
As  the  men  in  December  and  January  were  in  want  of 
shoes  and  clothing,  he  told  General  Banks  that  they  were 


348  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

not  in  a  suitable  condition  to  work  on  the  fortifications 
where  the  detachment  was  ordered,  but  no  attention  was 
paid  to  him.  He  inquired  why  his  men  could  not  be  sup- 
plied the  same  as  the  white  soldiers.  The  reply  he  re- 
ceived was,  "Don't  you  know  you  are  niggers,  and  must 
not  expect  the  same  treatment?"  "From  that  moment," 
he  said,  "I  resolved  to  resign;  but  after  waiting  a  little, 
and  seeing  no  better  prospects,  I  did  so,  and  shall  not  re- 
sume arms  until  we  can  be  treated  as  men." 

In  New  Orleans  two  regiments  of  free  colored  men 
were  raised  in  forty-eight  hours.  They  were  officered  by 
men  of  their  color  in  grades  as  high  as  major  by  General 
Butler,  who  said  they  were  as  good  officers  as  he  held 
under  him.  We  arrived  in  Natchez  on  the  26th,  where 
we  met  rejoicing  friends.  We  found  a  number  of  the  mis- 
sionaries sick,  among  them  sister  Burliugame. 

The  day  following  we  spent  chiefly  in  writing,  and  dis- 
tributing Testaments  and  tracts  among  soldiers.  In  the 
evening  we  attended  a  protracted  meeting,  conducted  by 
two  sisters.  They  acquitted  themselves  nobly,  and  had 
three  conversions.  They  exhorted  earnestly  and  prayed 
fervently.  They  invited  us  to  take  part  with  them.  One 
of  the  ministers  told  me  they  had  worked  in  this  meeting 
until  they  were  tired  out,  and  then  gave  it  over  to  these 
mothers  in  the  Church,  whose  labors  the  Lord  was  blessing 
in  the  conversion  of  precious  souls. 

We  made  an  effort  to  secure  a  house  for  an  orphan 
asylum. 

Kebel  sympathizers  were  making  trouble  all  along  the 
line  of  our  work.  They  tried  every  plan  that  could  be 
devised  to  drive  the  refugees  back  to  their  old  plantations. 
An  infamous  "health  order"  was  issued,  compelling  every 
colored  person,  not  employed  by  responsible  parties  in  the 
city  or  suburbs,  to  go  into  the  "corral,"  or  colored  camp. 
Many  were  employed  by  colored  citizens,  who  were  doing 
all  they  could  to  find  work  for  them.  But  on  the  day  this 


RELIGIOUS   SERVICES.  340 

order  took  effect  soldiers  were  sent  to  hunt  them  out  of  all 
such  places,  as  110  colored  party  was  deemed  responsible; 
aud  all  who  were  not  actual  members  of  these  colored  fam- 
ilies were  driven  out  at  the  point  of  Union  bayonets. 

They  gathered  two  hundred  arid  fifty,  mostly  women 
aud  children,  aud  drove  them  through  the  streets  of 
Natchez  ou  a  chilly,  rainy  day,  and  marched  them  into 
the  camp  of  four  thousand  in  condemned  tents.  One  of 
the  colored  citizens  told  me  that  she  was  paying  her  woman 
wages,  and  allowing  her  to  have  her  three  children  with 
her,  but  the  soldiers  drove  her  out  into  the  rain.  Men 
and  women  tantalized  them  as  they  were  marching  through 
the  streets,  saying:  "That's  the  way  the  Yankees  treat 
you,  is  it?  You  'd  better  come  back  to  us;  we  never 
treated  you  like  that."  Many  of  the  women  went  into 
camp  crying.  Said  an  old  colored  man:  "Never  min', 
thar  's  a  better  day  a  comiu'.  'T  would  be  strange  if  Uncle 
Sam  had  n't  a  few  naughty  boys."  He  was  one  of  the 
group  that  was  driven  in. 

We  heard,  April  30th,  that  there  was  a  skirmish  near 
our  lines  the  evening  before.  A  party  of  scouts  had  shot 
into  the  pickets,  and  they  retreated ;  but  we  did  not  learn 
whether  any  were  killed.  News  came  to  us  of  Calvin 
Fairbauks's  release  from  the  Kentucky  penitentiary.  We 
Crusted  that  the  same  Deliverer  would  open  the  prison- 
door  for  the  three  thousand  soldiers  on  the  two  islands  in 
the  Gulf. 

At  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  May  1st,  we  attended  the  organ- 
ization of  the  fifth  colored  Sabbath-school  in  the  city.  At 
eleven  A.  M.  we  went  to  Wall  Street  Church,  and  listened 
to'an  interesting  discourse  by  Chaplain  Trask,  of  the  Fourth 
Illinois  Regiment.  At  two  P.  M.,  at  the  Colored  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  we  heard  brother  Burlingame. 
After  a  short  exhortation  by  brother  Fitzhugh,  twelve 
came  forward  for  prayer,  and  some  were  blessed  witli  par- 
don. At  six  P.  M.  we  attended  a  soldiers'  meeting  at 


350  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Wall  Street  Church,  in  which  we  took  a  part ;  also  a  num- 
ber of  soldiers  spoke  and  prayed.  Between  meetings  I 
wrote  a  letter  for  a  colored  man  to  his  wife,  who  is  still  a 
slave  in  Woodville,  twenty  miles  distant. 

I  was  sick  with  a  chill  and  fever  May  2d,  and  the 
nearest  to  being  homesick  since  I  left  Michigan.  The  next 
day  I  was  better.  Here  I  met  Joseph  Warner,  with  whom 
I  had  been  acquainted  from  his  childhood.  He  was  a  lessee 
at  Waterproof.  He  had  a  large  plantation,  and  two  hun- 
dred hands  employed.  He  was  twice  taken  by  guerrillas. 
He  told  them  they  could  hang  or  shoot  him,  but  they 
might  rest  assured  that  forty  of  their  men's  lives  would 
pay  for  his,  and  forty  men  stood  ready  to  take  his  place; 
and  they  let  him  go  each  time.  A  distressed  mother  came 
to  us  to  inquire  for  her  two  daughters,  that  her  mistress 
had  sent  to  Texas  to  elude  the  effects  of  the  Proclamation 
of  Emancipation.  She  had  begged  her  mistress  to  allow 
them  to  remain  in  town,  if  she  could  not  have  them  with 
her.  The  mistress  said,  "  No,  you  shall  never  have  your 
girls  with  you  again,  not  even  to  give  you  a  drink  of  water 
if  you  are  dying."  This  was  at  the  retaking  of  Baton 
Rouge,  when  the  mistress  considered  herself  again  in  full 
power ;  but  she  was  soon  to  suffer  herself.  When  that  city 
was  retaken  by  Union  men,  the  only  son  of  the  mistress 
was  burned  to  death  in  the  house  at  which  he  was  board- 
ing. Upon  this  she  fell  into  fits.  Yet,  Pharaoh-like,  she 
persisted  in  keeping  the  slave-girls  in  Texas. 

A  number  of  missionaries  called  on  us,  and  urged  me 
to  remain  with  them  a  few  weeks  longer;  but  for  two 
reasons  I  had  to  decline:  First,  those  three  thousand  gol- 
dier  prisoners  were  daily  on  my  mind;  and,  second,  my 
poor  health  made  it  a  duty  to  return  home. 

Skirmishing  four  miles  off  took  place  May  5th,  and  we 
could  see  the  blue  smoke  of  battle.  The  shooting  seemed 
near  us.  How  little  this  terrible  war  was  realized  in  our 
own  free  State  homes! 


DELPHINE   AM)  CHILD.  351 

I  met  on  the  street  a  mulatto  girl  seventeen  years  old, 
weeping,  and  inquired  the  cause  of  her  grief.  She  said 
her  owner,  Mrs.  Morehead,  had  been  beating  her. 

"  Why  do  you  remain  with  her?"  I  asked. 

"She  keeps  my  baby  locked  up,"  was  her  reply;  "and 
she  says  if  I  leave  I  shall  never  have  him." 

I  told  her  that  I  could  take  her  to  the  provost-marshal, 
who  would  give  her  an  order  for  her  child.  At  this  she 
cheered  up,  and  went  with  me,  and  received  an  order,  in 
case  she  could  not  get  it  without.  She  said  she  would  go 
back  and  pack  her  few  things  in  her  old  trunk,  and  then 
watch  her  opportunity  when  the  mistress  was  out  to  bring  her 
baby  to  the  freedmeu's  store.  After  the  child  was  secured 
I  sent  a  soldier  with  her,  who  brought  her  trunk,  without 
letting  any  one  in  the  hotel  know  of  her  movements. 
Only  a  short  time  elapsed  before  we  saw  Mrs.  Morehead 
in  front  of  the  hotel,  looking  up  and  down  the  street  for 
her  Delphine,  who  kept  herself  hid  in  the  freedmen's  store 
with  her  little  Charlie,  about  two  years  old.  Just  before 
the  war  Mr.  Morehead  had  brought  her  away  from  her 
mother  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  the  height  of  her  am- 
bition was  to  get  back  there.  I  secured  transportation  for 
herself  and  child  to  Cairo,  and  paid  her  fare  to  St.  Louis. 
But  she  was  in  constant  fear  of  her  former  owners. 

Her  history  was  a  sad  one.  She  was  bought  for  their 
hotel  fancy  girl,  and  the  father  of  her  child  was  her  own 
master.  The  child  resembled  his  father  so  much  that  he 
was  frequently  taken  by  strangers  to  be  the  child  of  the 
mistress.  The  mother  was  two-thirds  white ;  and  the  Ro- 
man nose,  straight  hair,  and  white  skin  of  the  child  would 
not  give  a  stranger  the  least  idea  that  he  had  even  the 
sixteenth  part  of  African  blood  in  his  veins. 

As  a  boat  was  expected  to  arrive  within  an  hour,  we 
took  leave  of  the  many  kind  friends,  and  repaired  to  the 
wharf-boat.  Soon  Mrs.  Morehead  followed,  and  called  for 
Delphine ;  but  the  trembling  girl  caught  her  babe  and  hid. 


352  A  WOMAN'S  LJFE-WORK. 

But  as  her  mistress  repeated  the  calls,  she  at  length  came 
to  me  with  the  child,  asking,  "  What  shall  I  do?  I  would 
rather  throw  myself  and  baby  iuto  the  river  than  go  back 
to  tier."  Said  her  mistress,  "I  tell  you,  Del.,  I 've  got  an 
officer  to  come  and  take  you  to  jail  for  stealing."  I  told 
Delphine  she  could  rest  assured  that  none  of  the  officers 
would  trouble  her,  for  they  informed  me  they  should  not 
notice  her  mistress's  complaints,  let  them  be  what  they 
would,  as  they  had  had  more  trouble  with  that  rebel  fam- 
ily than  a  little  ever  since  they  occupied  the  city.  I  told 
her  to  leave  Charlie  on  the  boat,  and  go  out  on  the  levee 
and  tell  her  mistress  plainly  that  she  was  going  to  St.  Louis 
to  her  mother,  and  not  be  so  excited.  She  did  so,  and 
Mrs.  Morehead  kept  her  nearly  an  hour  trying  to  coax, 
hire,  and  frighten  her,  but  without  avail.  Delphine  all 
this  while  was  trembling  with  fear.  I  believe  if  she  had 
seen  an  officer  coming  with  her  mistress,  she  would  have 
thrown  herself  and  child  iuto  the  river.  Mrs.  Morehead 
at  length  came  upon  the  wharf-boat.  When  Delphine  saw 
her  coming  she  snatched  up  her  child,  and  ran  to  the  rear 
of  the  boat,  and  the  mistress  after  her.  Again  she  came 
to  me  with  "What  shall  I  do?"  I  replied,  "Sit  down 
here  by  me  and  hold  your  child,  and  she  will  not  dare 
touch  you."  She  trembled  as  if  having  an  ague  fit.  Soon 
her  mistress  stood  before  us  in  a  rage,  and  turned  to  me : 

"  You  came  into  my  kitchen  with  an  order,  and  took 
ner,  when  she  was  doing  better  than  you  ever  dare  do." 

"I  never  went  into  your  kitchen,"  I  said.  "A  soldier 
went  with  her  for  her  trunk.  I  understood  an  officer  called 
on  you  and  called  for  her  child,  at  her  request,  before  she 
came  to  me." 

"It's  a  lie.     Delphine  lied  about  me." 

Said  sister  Backus,  "  I  should  n't  think  you  would 
want  such  a  person  about  you,  if  that  is  true." 

"  Well,  the  child  seems  so  near  to  me.  I  Ve  always 
had  the  care  of  it." 


ON   THE    BOAT.  353 

She  left  us  at  length  with  a  threat  that  she  would  bring 
the  officers  to  take  her  to  jail  for  stealing. 

The  Keirnet  came  iu  at  11  o'clock  A.  M.,  May  6th, 
bound  for  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  we  went  aboard.  As 
we  pushed  out  from  shore,  Delphiue  clapped  her  hands. 
"  Now  I  know  Mistress  Morehead  can  trouble  me  no  more; 
thank  God,  I:ve  got  my  Charlie  too!  Nobody  knows  what 
I  have  gone  through  since  I  've  been  in  this  city."  We 
arrived  in  Vicksburg  May  7th,  and  took  breakfast  at  the 
Soldiers'  Home,  where  we  met  Ex-Governor  Harvey,  a  sol- 
diers' friend.  Here,  was  a  lady  who  had  charge  of  the 
body  of  her  brother,  killed  up  Red  River,  taking  the  re- 
mains back  to  Iowa. 

After  spending  a  little  time  in  this  large  city  of  soldiers, 
whose  tents  whitened  the  adjoining  fields,  we  left.  On 
the  day  this  city  fell  into  Union  hands,  report  said,  there 
was  an  old  man  very  confident  of  the  success  of  the  Con- 
federate government,  and  he  said  that  God  could  not  let 
it  fail ;  if  he  did,  he  would  never  believe  there  is  a  God. 
When  the  gun-boats  came  in,  and  he  was  told  the  city  was 
taken,  he  would  not  believe  it,  until  he  rose  up  from  his 
chair  and  saw  marching  columns  of  soldiers,  with  their 
bayonets  glistening  in  the  Fourth  of  July  sun.  He  im- 
mediately sank  back  in  his  chair  in  a  faint,  and  soon  died. 

May  8th  was  a  sort  of  a  war  Sabbath.  The  night  be- 
fore our  boat  ran  aground,  and  it  took  three  hours  to  get 
her  off.  Many  of  the  passengers  dressed,  and  made  ready 
to  escape  at  the  first  possible  chance,  in  case  she  should 
become  wrecked.  We  were  told  that  at  one  time  the  water 
Avas  three  feet  deep  in  her  hull.  By  making  great  effort 
the  men  succeeded  in  pumping  it  out.  She  run  slowly, 
being  a  very  large  boat.  We  had  a  variety  of  passengers 
on  board,  officers  of  various  ranks,  soldiers,  missionaries, 
preachers,  and  a  few  secessionists.  Major-general  Hunter 
remained  with  us  two  days. 

Quite  an  excitement  arose  over  the  arrest  of  a  smug- 


354  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

gler  of  goods  through  our  lines.  He  was  thought  to  be  con- 
nected with  the  little  steamer  Baltic.  There  was  a  major 
and  a  provost-marshal,  from  Baton  Rouge,  who  followed 
up  the  matter.  When  the  prisoner  was  brought  to  the 
rear  of  the  boat,  Avith  his  hands  tied,  it  created  much  feel- 
ing among  a  dozen  colored  people,  until  they  heard  the 
major  ask  him  if  he  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance. 
He  answered  gruffly,  "  No,  and  I  never  will." 

This  led  the  major  to  ask  other  questions  concerning 
the  trade  of  the  Baltic. 

"  I  will  tell  you  nothing  about  it,  if  I  stand  here  till 
I  die,  and  you  may  go  to ." 

This  brought  the  sympathy  of  the  colored  people,  as 
well  as  of  the  rest  of  us,  down  below  zero.  Said  one  col- 
ored man,  "Let  him  stand  there,  then,  until  he  dies." 
But  within  an  hour  he  consented  to  be  sworn  to  tell  the 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  the  major  examined 
him  in  the  presence  of  many  witnesses,  Major-general  Hun- 
ter one  of  them. 

On  Monday  I  introduced  myself  to  General  Hunter,  as 
usual,  by  my  letters. 

"How  long  have  you  been  in  the  army,"  he  asked, 
"and  how  far?" 

In  reply  to  his  queries  I  gave  him  a  sketch  of  our 
work.  I  mentioned  General  Tuttle's  refusal  to  grant  us 
transportation,  the  wrongs  of  the  colored  soldiers,  and  the 
history  of  the  three  thousand  prisoners  on  Ship  Island  and 
Dry  Tortugas,  and  stated  the  fact  that  some  missionaries 
and  missionary  teachers  had  advised  me  to  say  nothing  of 
these  wrongs,  however  flagrant.  I  also  called  his  attention 
to  the  printed  order  placed  in  our  hands,  that  we  were 
not  to  report  any  movements  in  the  army,  either  verbally 
or  by  writing,  and  asked  his  advice  whether  it  was  wiser 
to  report  or  to  keep  silent. 

"Mrs.  Havilaud,"  he  replied,  "I  am  glad  you  have 
been  in  the  army  so  long,  and  I  am  glad  you  went  so  far, 


MAJOR-GENERAL   HUNTER.  355 

and  I  will  explain  that  order.  You  have  observed  move- 
ments of  troops  from  one  place  to  another  just  on  the  eve 
of  battle.  These  are  the  matters  you  are  not  to  report; 
but  the  wrongs  you  have  met  you  may  proclaim  on  your 
arrival  at  home  from  the  house-tops." 

I  thanked  him  for  this  advice,  for  it  was  to  me  a  great 
relief.  It  seemed  to  trouble  him.  After  pacing  the  cabin 
to  and  fro  a  few  minutes,  he  came  to  me  and  said : 

"Mrs.  Haviland,  we  have  had  a  good  deal  of  sifting 
done  in  the  army,  and  more  must  be  done  yet.  Did  Gen- 
eral Tuttle  see  those  papers  you  gave  me?" 

"He  did,"  I  answered. 

"Copperheads  have  no  business  in  the  army  in  the 
exercise  of  such  authority  as  this.  General  Tuttle  ran  for 
governor  on  the  Copperhead  ticket  in  Iowa  last  year. 
What  right  has  a  copperhead  to  be  lifted  up  here,  where 
loyal  men  are  needed  ?  I  have  never  seen  the  least  cause 
to  abandon  my  first  conclusion,  that  the  only  way  to  crush 
this  rebellion  was  to  emancipate  and  arm  the  slaves;  and 
if  I  could  have  been  permitted  to  carry  out  my  plan  of 
taking  Kentucky  into  my  field,  as  my  rank  and  position 
entitled  me  to  do,  I  should  liave  proclaimed  freedom  to 
the  slaves  as  fast  as  I  reached  them.  The  strength  I  could 
have  gathered  from  the  slave  population  would  soon  have 
been  two  hundred  thousand  men,  and  that  number  of  stand 
of  arms  was  all  I  asked.  But  the  vacillating  policy  of  the 
government  would  not  permit  it.  I  saw  clearly  that  this 
was  the  only  policy  that  would  prove  successful,  and  I 
thought  every  body  else  must  see  it  when  I  first  proclaimed 
it  in  South  Carolina.  It  seemed  there  were  others  who 
took  a  different  view,  and  my  order  was  superseded." 

Said  sister  Backus,  "You  have  the  satisfaction  of  know- 
ing that  your  policy  had  to  be  adopted  before  the  nation 
could  succeed." 

"O,  yes,"  replied  he  reluctantly;  "but  it  is  with  regret 

that  I  think  of  the  drafting  of  thousands,  which  might  have 

24 


356  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

been  avoided  just  as  well  as 'not.  There  was  no  necessity 
for  the  draft." 

Sister  Backus  remarked,  "As  a  nation,  we  must  suffer 
defeats  until  it  reaches  the  right  position,  not  only  in  arm- 
ing colored  men,  but  in  paying  them  just  wages;  for  they 
make  as  good  soldiers  as  white  men." 

A  bystander  said,  "I  don't  know  that  they  make  as 
good  soldiers  as  white  men,  from  the  fact  that  they  are 
not  so  intelligent.  Here  is  General  Hunter,  and  I  presume 
he  will  say  the  same  thing" — turning  to  him  for  an  answer. 

In  a  decided  tone  the  general  said,  "I  shall  say  no  such 
thing.  They  make  the  best  of  soldiers;  for,  first,  they  are 
kind  and  docile;  and,  second,  they  are  apt  to  learn.  They 
learn  military  tactics  very  readily,  and  ought  to  have  the 
same  wages  as  any  other  soldier.  All  along  this  river 
I  find  one  continued  series  of  wrongs  inflicted  upon 
the  negro." 

We  told  him  of  the  infamous  order  by  Dr.  Kelley, 
sanctioned  by  General  Tuttle,  and  published  under  the 
specious  guise  of  "  Health  Order,"  to  drive  the  slaves  back 
to  their  masters.  He  shook  his  head  in  disgust. 

"Why  does  the  head  of  this  serpent  rise  up  at  almost 
every  point?  When  it  appeared  in  the  department  under 
my  command  I  crushed  it  at  once." 

At  the  mouth  of  Red  River  three  women  came  aboard, 
by  permission  of  the  gunboat  officers  stationed  there.  Their 
object  was  to  hire  men,  whom  they  wanted  to  gather  cane 
for  working  up  into  weaving  reeds.  One  of  them  reported 
to  Dr.  Long  that  she  had  been  watching  a  couple  of  ladies 
on  our  boat,  and  she  l>elie\Ted  them  spies,  for  they  seemed 
to  have  a  great  deal  of  writing  to  do.  Dr.  Long  hap 
pened  to  know  enough  about  the  ladies  reported  as  spies 
to  allow  sister  Backus  and  myself  to  pass  unmolested. 
But  these  ladies  were  themselves  suspected  of  being  spies. 

We  reached  the  city  of  Memphis  May  10th.  Sister 
Backus  had  been  quite  sick  for  three  days,  but  was  now 


HOME    AGAIN.  .50  I 

a  little  better.  We  called  at  the  Christian  Commission 
Rooms,  and  got  a  market-basket  full  of  reading  matter  for 
distribution. 

The  next  day  was  quite  cold  and  freezing.  We  stopped 
at  Columbus  a  short  time.  Here  we  secured  a  paper  giv- 
ing an  account  of  the  terrible  slaughter  at  Fredericksburg. 
Rumor  had  it  that  fifteen  thousand  were  killed  and 
wounded;  that  Lee  was  driven  back  thirty  miles;  Grant 
and  Butler  were  said  to  be  pushing  on  to  Richmond,  and 
were  now  within  a  short  day's  march  of  the  rebel  capital. 
General  Hunter  was  quite  sanguine  in  hope  that  Richmond 
would  soon  fall. 

On  May  13th  we  arrived  at  Cairo,  and  took  leave  of 
the  friends  whom  our  few  days'  acquaintance  had  made 
dear.  We  reached  home  on  the  18th,  amid  the  rejoicing 
of  dear  children  and  friends.  It  is  no  wonder  the  soldiers 
we  met  were  delighted  to  see  a  Northern  face,  for  it 
reminded  them  of  their  home  associations.  Intercession 
unceasing  went  up  for  the  three  thousand  soldier  prisoners 
banished  to  the  Gulf  Islands.  The  mail  had  brought  noth- 
ing from  New  Orleans.  By.  this  I  was  to  understand  that 
nothing  could  be  done  for  them  there.  Congress  was  still 
in  session,  and  I  immediately  wrote  a  full  account  of  their 
wrongs  to  congressman  Beamau,  and  urged  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  case  to  the  war  department. 

Without  giving  myself  time  to  rest,  I  hastened  to 
Detroit,  to  report  our  work  and  give  an  account  of  the 
unjust  sentences  of  those  prisoners  at  Ship  Island  and  the 
Tortugas.  While  making  my  statements  in  Captain  E.  B. 
Ward's  office,  he  took  them  down  to  forward  them  to 
B.  F.  Wade,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct 
of  the  War;  but  he  said,  "You  must  go  to  Washington 
and  report  these  facts  to  the  committee  in  person."  I  told 
him  I  had  written  the  full  details  to  my  friend,  F.  C. 
Beamau,  member  of  Congress,  and  I  thought  he  would  do 
all  that  could  be  done.  He  auswe^d,  "I  shall  ser\d  these 


358  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

items  to  B.  F.  Wade,  and  our  letters  will  make  good  enter- 
ing wedges;  but  the  living  tongue  will  do  more  than  the 
pen."  I  told  him  I  was  ready  to  go  or  do  any  thing  I 
could  for  their  release,  but  still  hoped  to  hear  from  New 
Orleans.  I  would  wait  a  week  longer  and  rest.  Then,  if 
I  had  means,  I  would  go.  He  said  he  would  see  to  that, 
and  I  returned  to  my  home. 

Within  a  week  I  received  a  note  from  him,  stating  that 
he  had  just  received  a  letter  from  B.  F.  Wade,  requesting 
me  to  come  at  once  and  bring  my  extracts  fropi  the  record 
I  had  examined  on  Ship  Island.  I  was  soon  on  my  way 
to  Detroit,  and  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  following 
day,  I  was  in  Captain  Ward's  office,  ready  to  take  the 
boat  for  Cleveland  on  my  way  to  Washington.  I  waited 
but  a  few  minutes  when  the  captain  came  in  with  a  letter, 
which  he  threw  in  my  lap,  saying,  "There  is  a  letter  for 
you  to  read."  The  first  sentence  was,  "The  exhibition  of 
these  letters  before  Secretary  Stanton  has  proved  sufficient. 
Judge  Attocha  was  dismissed  immediately,  and  a  committee 
is  to  be  appointed  to  investigate  and  release  those  prison- 
ers at  once.  There  is  therefore  no  necessity  for  Mrs.  Hav- 
iland's  presence  on  that  score.  General  Tuttle  is  already 
relieved."  On  reading  these  glad  words,  I  remarked  that 
I  never  had  been  a  shouting  Methodist,  but  I  felt  more 
like  shouting  over  these  glad  tidings  than  I  ever  had  done 
in  all  my  life.  If  I  had  not  been  spoiled  for  singing  by 
being  raised  a  Quaker,  I  would  have  sung  the  doxology. 

I  wrote  an  article  for  the  Detroit  Tribune  containing 
these  facts,  and  stating  the  prospects  of  the  immediate 
release  of  the  three  thousand  prisoners  on  Ship  Island  and 
Dry  Tortugas.  I  sent  the  paper  to  Captain  J.  Noyce,  and 
very  soon  received  a  reply  that  my  letter,  with  the  Ti~ibune, 
was  the  first  intimation  they  had  received  of  any  thing 
being  done  in  their  behalf.  He  said,  "I  sent  the  letter 
and  paper  to  the  prisoners,  and  they  eagerly  read  them  in 
all  their  companies,  until  I  doubt  whether  a  whole  sen- 


RELEASE   OF    PRISONERS.  359 

teiice  can  be  found  together."  A  few  weeks  later  I  received 
another  letter  from  Captain  Noyce,  in  which  he  stated 
that  the  committee  was  investigating,  and  that  but  -one 
person  in  seventy-five  was  found  unworthy  of  being  released 
at  once;  but  that  very  soon  all  would  be  restored  to  their 
regiments. 


300  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER  XI I L 

FREEDMEN'S  AID  COMMISSION. 

OUR  Freedmeu's  Aid  Commission  was  enlarged  in  June, 
1864.  Dr.  George  Duffield  was  made  president ;  Drs. 
Hogarth  and  Chase,  vice-presidents ;  David  Preston,  treas- 
urer; and  B.  C.  Durfee,  secretary.  The  board  of  directors 
appointed  me  its  agent,  and  allowed  me  a  salary  of  forty 
dollars  a  mouth.  This  is  the  first  remuneration  I  received 
for  my  labors;  but  seeing  unfaithful  officers  dismissed, 
prisoners  released,  and  the  suffering  and  dying  relieved, 
was  a  satisfaction  far  exceeding  dollars  and  cents. 

I  received  invitations  to  address  congregations  in  large 
towns,  where  much  was  done  in  gathering  supplies.  At  a 
Union  thanksgiving  meeting  in  Jackson,  $97  was  collected, 
and  at  a  similar  meeting  at  Grass  Lake,  the  same  day,  $70; 
at  Luce's  Hall,  Grand  Rapids,  $55 ;  at  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  Pontiac,  $44;  and  at  Leoni  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odist Conference,  $68.65.  Many  other  liberal  donations 
were  also  received.  Auxiliaries  were  organized,  and  I 
prepared  to  return  to  the  field  of  desolation,  whither  duty 
seemed  to  be  loudly  calling  me.  I  concluded  to  suspend 
Raisin  Institute  until  the  close  of  the  war.  I  received 
propositions  from  a  number  of  graduates  of  the  Michigan 
University  to  take  it  in  charge ;  but  the  care  of  preparing 
for  another  academic  year  was  more  than  I  could  properly 
undertake,  and  do  justice  to  the  limitless  field  of  mission 
work  that  was  open  before  us. 

In  September  I  had  a  car-load  of  supplies  ready,  and 
$400  in  money.  Of  this  amount,  $298  was  placed  in  my 
hands  by  friends  at  Adrian,  with  the  request  of  the  donors 
that  it  should  be  retained  in  my  own  hands  for  disbursement 


REFUGEES    IN    KANSAS.  361 

on  reaching  the  scene  of  suffering.  At  Chicago  appeals  were 
made  to  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  and  Christian  Commission 
for  aid  in  the  freedmen's  department,  and  also  to  myself 
}>ersonally,  on  account  of  the  great  distress  in  Kansas  after 
General  Price's  raid  through  Missouri,  followed  by  Colonels 
Lane  and  Jennisou,  who  drove  thousands  of  poor  whites 
and  freedmen  into  that  young  State.  I  decided  to  hasten 
thither,  with  Mrs.  Lee,  of  Hillsdale,  as  an  assistant. 

At  Leaven  worth  we  met  J.  R.  Brown,  half-brother  of 
Captain  John  Brown,  of  Ossawatomie,  who  had  charge 
of  both  white  refugees  and  freedmen  and  a  sort  of  soldiers' 
home,  under  General  Curtis.  He  kindly  offered  me  head- 
quarters in  his  establishment,  consisting  of  two  large  two- 
story  frame  buildings,  with  one  hundred  occupants  each. 
I  called  on  General  Curtis,  who  telegraphed  for  my  goods 
to  be  forwarded  in  preference  to  other  army  supplies,  and 
gave  me  passes  through  the  State  to  Fort  Scott.  My  object 
was  to  investigate  all  intermediate  towns  where  refugees 
and  freedmen  were  congregated.  He  also  gave  me  liberty 
to  use  an  order  he  had  given  J.  R.  Brown,  to  call  upon 
quarter-masters  for  half,  whole,  or  quarter  rations,  wherever 
suffering  for  food  existed.  These  investigations  enabled  me 
to  judge  of  the  amount  of  aid  needed  at  each  point. 

As  my  supplies  had  not  reached  me,  J.  R.  Brown  filled 
two  large  trunks  with  sanitary  supplies  for  the  greatest 
sufferers.  Thus  supplied,  I  took  the  stage  for  Fort  Scott. 
My  first  halt  was  at  Quindaro,  a  small  town  built  on 
rocky  bluffs  and  in  deep  ravines.  A  few  years  previously 
it  was  designed  by  a  few  speculators  to  be  an  important  land- 
ing on  the  Mississippi ;  and  they  built  a  few  stone  houses,  a 
long  wood  store-house,  and  a  number  of  small  log-houses, 
which  had  been  left  uuteuauted,  but  were  now  filled  with 
white  refugees  and  freedmen.  A  large  majority  were 
women  and  children.  The  able-bodied  men  among  the 
freedmen  were  in  the  Union  army ,  but  many  of  the  men 
whose  refugee  families  were  here  were  in  the  Confederate 


362  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

army.  General  Price  had  made  terrible  havoc  of  all  who 
were  suspected  of  being  favorable  to  the  Union.  Then 
followed  Colonels  Lane  and  Jenuison,  who  made  as  grea/ 
havoc  of  the  remainder.  Those  who  fled  for  their  lives 
were  crowded  into  every  niche  of  available  room. 

In  one  open  log-house  I  found  twenty-three  wretched 
inmates.  Four  of  them  were  women,  two  of  whom  were 
sick  from  exposure  in  husking  corn  during  cold,  snowy 
weather.  Eight  of  the  children  had  the  measles,  and  three 
of  them  died ;  two  others  seemed  near  death's  door.  Two 
women  were  hauling  a  small  tree-top  to  their  door  to  chop 
for  night-wood.  The  feet  of  these  poor  women  were  ex- 
posed to  the  mud  and  snow,  which  was  melting.  O,  what 
squalid  wretchedness  was  here !  Not  a  bed,  chair,  table, 
or  whole  dish  in  this  gloomy  abode!  I  inquired  how  they 
slept.  I  was  shown  a  rag-carpet  on  the  fence,  which  they 
obtained  for  washing  for  one  of  the  neighbors.  This  was 
spread  before  a  large  fire-place,  and  all  lay  down  upon  that 
but  two,  who  kept  up  the  fire,  and  watched  to  keep  those 
asleep  from  burning.  They  said  the  man  who  owned  the 
adjoining  wood-land  kindly  allowed  them  all  the  wood  they 
needed  that  was  on  the  ground.  They  borrowed  an  ax  to 
chop  it.  I  found  the  four  women  had  husked  corn  on 
shares  until  two  were  sick  with  pneumonia;  and  the  corn, 
boiled  without  salt,  was  all  they  had  to  eat  during  the  five 
weeks  they  had  been  there.  Now  they  were  nearly  out, 
and  what  to  do  they  knew  not,  as  they  were  forbidden  to 
go  into  the  field  to  husk  more.  I  made  out  an  order 
for  rations,  and  measured  their  bare  feet  for  shoes  and 
stockings.  I  took  one  of  the  women  to  the  post-office, 
where  I  had  left  my  trunks,  and  gave  her  four  army- 
blankets,  six  pairs  woolen  socks,  six  pairs  of  drawers,  four 
pairs  of  stockings,  and  two  pairs  of  shoes,  which  were  all  I 
had  to  fit  them.  As  I  piled  the  above  articles  upon  the 
shoulders  and  arms  of  the  poor  woman  she  wept  for  joy. 

The  postmaster  said,  "  Is  this  your  business  here?" 


CHILDREN    OF  WANT.  363 

On  receiving  an  affirmative  reply,  he  said,  with  tear- 
ful eye: 

"To-morrow  morning  the  ground  will  be  frozen,  and  I 
will  go  with  you  where  the  most  of  these  poor  people  are." 

I  procured  lodging  with  a  widow  Johnson  and  her  son, 
who  was  with  Captain  John  Brown's  party  all  through  the 
border -ruffian  troubles.  My  kind  friend  regretted  my 
having  made  the  mile  and  a  half  walk  to  the  log-house  in 
the  field  and  back  to  the  post-office  before  supper,  as  I  had 
not  taken  refreshments  since  leaving  Leaveuworth,  very 
early.  But  when  I  told  her  of  the  distress  I  found,  she 
rejoiced  with  me  at  the  partial  relief  I  had  given  them. 

After  a  good  rest  and  an  early  breakfast,  I  went  with 
the  kind  postmaster  to  visit  the  most  wretched  tenements  of 
both  white  and  colored,  and  found  eighty-one  to  report  for 
rations  to  the  commander  in  AVyandotte.  The  postmaster 
and  Mr.  Johnson  agreed  to  go  with  their  team  every  week 
and  distribute  to  the  destitute;  and  if  others  were  found 
equally  needy  they  would  report  them  to  me  on  my  return. 
After  descending  steep  cliffs  and  climbing  rugged  rocks 
until  past  noon,  we  returned  for  dinner;  but  before  it  was 
finished  the  stage  came  along,  and  I  took  it  for  Wyau- 
dotte,  where  we  arrived  late  in  the  evening.  The  weather 
for  October  was  cold,  and  freezing  quite  hard. 

When  I  informed  Mrs.  Halford,  the  landlady  of  the 
Garno  House,  of  my  errand,  she  was  much  pleased,  and 
said  that  Uer  duties  forbade  her  to  assist  me,  but  she 
would  do  her  part  in  giving  me  a  welcome  home  while  in 
their  town.  She  introduced  me  to  a  family  of  benevolent 
ladies,  who  promised  to  aid  me  in  my  investigations,  but 
did  not  think  I  would  find  the  suffering  in  their  city  that  I 
found  in  Quiudaro.  One  of  my  new  friends  went  with  me 
to  a  neighborhood  where  there  were  new  arrivals,  and 
found  many  in  a  perishing  condition  with  cold  and  hun- 
ger. From  thence  we  went  to  old  stables  and  sheds  crowded 
with  destitute  human  beings,  both  white  and  colored.  The 


3(>4  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

dear  friend  who  volunteered  to  guide  to  these  children  of 
want  wept  herself  sick  as  we  listened  to  the  stories  of  their 
flight  from  homes  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas.  Here  was  a 
woman,  named  Melinda  Dale,  with  six  small  children  and 
a  sick  husband,  who  had  to  flee  for  their  lives.  A  few 
pieces  of  old  tent-cloth,  picked  up  about  an  old  camp,  made 
their  bed.  Children  were  crying  for  bread,  the  mother 
was  sick  with  grief,  and  the  father  had  a  high  fever.  A 
blanket  was  given  them,  with  a  few  loaves  of  bread  ;  and 
after  the  reading  of  Scripture  and  prayer  we  left  for  the 
relief  of  others. 

Our  next  call  was  upon  the  wife  and  five  small  children 
of  Lieutenant  Miller,  who  was  supposed  to  be  in  a  rebel 
prison.  The  wife  was  in  great  distress,  not  knowing 
whether  her  husband  was  living  or  perishing  by  starvation. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  one  year  before,  and  she  and  her 
children  were  in  a  starving  condition.  They  occupied  an 
old  Sibley  tent.  These  were  also,  with  many  others,  re- 
ported for  rations,  and  immediate  relief  was  given.  A  few 
weeks  previously  rations  were  withheld,  which  caused  great 
suffering  with  many.  I  gave  rations  to  Barbara  Stewart, 
with  two  sick  children,  whose  husband  was  murdered  by 
guerillas  because  he  was  known  to  be  a  Union  man.  I  next 
called  on  Green  F.  Bethel,  who  left  his  Arkansas  home 
with  a  large  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  nine  children, 
and  aged  mother.  All  except  himself  were  taken  down  with 
the  measles,  soon  after  passing  through  Fort  Scott.  His 
mother  soon  died,  and  was  buried  by  the  way-side.  A  day 
later  his  wife  and  infant  child  died,  and  were  also  buried 
by  the  way.  Not  long  after  the  last  three  children  died, 
and  were  also  buried  by  the  road-side.  He  said,  "  O, 
what  sorrow  was  mine !  One-half  of  my  family  are  gone  ! 
The  light  of  my  household  seemed  vanishing!  Were  it 
not  for  the  help  of  my  Lord  I  should  have  fainted  under 
this  sweeping  affliction.  My  wife  and  mother  were  Chris- 
tians many  years.  We  were  members  of  the  Cumberland 


AN    AFFLICTED    FAMILY.  365 

Presbyterian  Church."  We  found  the  poor  man  in  a  hard 
chill.  It  came  on  every  third  day,  aiid  was  followed  with 
high  fever.  The  two  intervening  days  he  was  able  to  use 
his  team  in  little  jobs  of  hauling,  and  thus  he  kept  his 
children  and  team  alive.  I  inquired  why  he  did  not  make 
his  condition  known  to  the  citizens  of  that  town.  He  said 
no  one  knew  any  thing  about  him,  and  there  were  so  many 
making  pretensions  to  loyalty  who  were  not  loyal,  that 
none  would  know  but  he  was  of  that  class.  "  My  wife's 
brother,"  he  said,  "  came  with  his  family  when  we  did,  and 
he  also  lost  his  wife  on  the  way,  following  the  Union  sol- 
diers. Our  lives  were  threatened,  and  the  rope  was  placed 
around  my  neck  once,  but  by  the  entreaties  of  my  wife 
and  children  the  rebels  concluded  to  let  me  go  a  day  or 
two  longer;  then  if  I  would  not  join  with  them  in  sup- 
porting the  Confederate  government,  I  was  to  be  hung  or 
shot.  The  same  threat  was  made  to  my  brother-in-law, 
and  we  hid  in  the  woods  three  weeks,  before  we  left  in 
the  night  for  the  lines  of  the  Union  soldiers.  We  started 
with  two  wagons,  and  had  nine  horses  and  three  cows. 
But  they  gave  out  one  after  another,  and  we  had  to  leave 
them  all  on  the  way,  except  the  youngest  and  best  team, 
which  I  have  yet.  I  have  a  good  farm,  and  so  has  my 
brother-in-law ;  but  if  we  are  ever  permitted  to  return  to 
our  homes,  it  is  doubtful  whether  AVC  shall  find  a  building 
left." 

He  wept  freely,  as  well  as  his  children.  The  oldest 
daughter,  Amy,  of  seventeen,  leaned  her  head  upon  my 
shoulder,  and  wept  aloud.  She  said,  "  We  could  all  bear 
this  furnace  of  affliction  much  better  if  our  dear  mother 
had  been  spared  us." 

With  prayer  we  left  this  house  of  mourning,  with  a  re- 
quest for  the  afflicted  brother  to  call  at  head-quarters  for 
the  rations  I  should  report  for  the  six  in  his  family.  Said 
he,  on  taking  the  parting  hand,  "  One  favor  I  ask  of  you, 
my  dear  sister;  and  that  is,  your  continued  prayers  "that 


366  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

the  Lord  may  open  a  way  for  us  where  there  now  seems 
to  be  no  way." 

My  friend  who  served  as  guide  said,  "  My  head  aches 
with  weeping,  in  witnessing  these  heart-rending  scenes.  I 
must  decline  going  with  you  farther  this  afternoon.  I 
shall  be  obliged  to  take  my  bed.  I  do  not  see  how  you 
live,  as  you  meet  similar  scenes  so  frequently." 

These  visits  made  us  quite  late  for  dinner,  but  my  kind 
hostess  kept  it  waiting  for  me.  With  interest,  she  sat  by 
my  side  to  listen  to  a  report  of  my  morning  calls.  She 
was  surprised  to  learn  of  so  much  suffering  near  them. 
After  dinner  I  resumed  my  work.  On  my  way  I  met  a 
woman  shivering  in  an  ague  chill,  thinly  clad,  and  weeping. 
I  inquired  for  the  cause  of  her  grief.  She  said  she  had 
been  hunting  for  washing  or  something  to  do,  to  purchase 
bread  for  her  three  little  children,  for  they  had  had  noth- 
ing to  eat  for  a  whole  day.  I  told  her  I  would  call  on 
her  before  night.  I  found  a  number  in  as  great  distress 
as  in  my  morning  calls.  One  man,  who  lost  his  wife, 
leaving  him  with  six  small  children,  had  found  work  six  miles 
away;  but  he  returned  at  night  to  care  for  his  little  ones. 
The  oldest  child,  ten  years  of  age,  was  left  during  the  day 
in  charge  of  the  five  younger  ones.  For  the  sake  of  fur- 
nishing bread  for  his  children,  he  walked  the  twelve  miles 
back  and  forth  daily.  I  found  the  woman  whom  I  had  met 
on  the  street  in  a  high  fever,  with  an  infant  of  eight  mounths 
in  her  arms,  and  two  of  her  children  crying  for  bread.  I 
took  them  a  few  loaves,  and  gave  her  an  order  for  rations. 
The  husband  had  been  pressed  into  service  when  they  had 
been  but  two  weeks  from  home,  and  was  not  allowed  to  see 
his  wife  and  children  to  say  good  bye.  She  had  heard  noth- 
ing from  him  since.  In  the  corner  lay  a  crippled  dis- 
charged colored  soldier,  who  was  also  suffering  for  food. 
I  stepped  into  a  grocery  and  purchased  sugar  and  crackers 
for  the  sick  and  for  the  children. 

My  next  call  was  on  another  woman  with  six  children. 


AGNES    EVERETT.  367 

Her  husband  had  beeu  iu  the  army  a  long  time,  and  she 
had  not  heard  from  him.  She  feared  lie  was  suffering  in 
a  rebel  prison.  Near  this  cabin  was  Agnes  Everett,  with 
five  children  between  the  ages  of  fifteen  months  and  twelve 
years.  Her  two  youngest  children  were  in  a  starving  con- 
dition— the  baby,  she  said,  had  been  too  sick  to  allow  her 
to  do  much  in  procuring  food.  Her  boy  of  twelve  years 
was  her  only  dependence  in  getting  little  jobs  of  wood- 
sawing  or  doing  chores  for  cold  victuals,  or  a  pint  of  meal 
which  she  made  into  porridge.  The  little  emaciated  baby 
was  fed  with  the  porridge.  Its  face  was  wrinkled  like  au 
old  person's  of  ninety  years.  Its  eyes  were  sunken  and 
glassy;  its  hands  looked  more  like  birds'  claws  than  like 
human  hands.  "Don't,  Clark ie;  poor  little  Fannie  is  so 
sick  she  must  have  this,"  said  the  mother  to  the  little  fel- 
low who  watched  the  mother  when  her  attention  was  occu- 
pied for  a  chance  to  snatch  a  floating  lump.  As  I  looked 
upon  these  famishing  children  I  could  not  refrain  from 
weeping.  Her  husband  and  grown  son  were  in  the  army. 
She  had  been  looking  for  money  from  them  for  a  number 
of  months,  but  had  heard  nothing  from  them.  I  gave 
them  two  loaves  of  bread  for  their  supper,  and  directed 
them  to  meet  me  at  the  post-office  the  next  day  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  I  would  give  her  an  order  for  six 
half  rations  until  she  received  help  from  her  husband. 
This  closed  my  day's  work.  On  my  return  to  the  Garno 
House,  Mrs.  Halford  informed  me  that  the  lady  who  went 
with  me  in  the  morning  was  sick,  for  she  had  hardly 
ceased  weeping  over  those  pitiful  families  we  visited  in  the 
morning. 

At  the  time  appointed  I  met  a  number  at  the  post- 
office,  among  whom  was  Agnes  Everett,  to  receive  orders 
for  half,  quarter,  or  whole  rations,  and  gave  out  a  few 
articles  of  clothing.  As  I  gave  Agnes  the  order  for  rations 
I  charged  her  strictly  to  give  the  two  younger  children  no 
strong  food  for  a  few  days,  but  only  a  little  at  a  time  and 


368  A  WOMAN'S  MFK-WORK. 

often,  especially  the  youngest,  as  it  would  live  but  a  few 
hours  if  she  allowed  it  to  eat  all  it  craved.  A  number  of 
gentlemen  listened  to  my  charge,  aud  as  the  little  group 
left  the  office  one  of  them  inquired  where  I  was  from. 
With  my  reply  I  gave  them  my  papers  from  the  governor 
and  members  of  Congress  of  Michigan.  After  reading  they 
introduced  themselves, —  Dr.  Wood,  Dr.  Speck,  Lawyer 
James,  and  others.  Dr.  Speck  informed  me  of  a  family 
whose  youngest  child  actually  starved  to  death  three  days 
before.  He  was  called  when  it  was  dying,  but  too  late  to 
save  it.  He  said,  "There  were  two  other  families  who 
would  have  died  soon  if  the  citizens  had  not  rendered  the  aiii 
needed;  and  there  would  have  been  another  death  by  star- 
vation before  we  should  have  known  it,  here  in  our  midst, 
but  it  took  you  to  come  from  Michigan  to  find  it  out.'' 
Lawyer  James  said  there  was  a  family  on  the  hill  opposite 
the  ferry  he  would  like  to  see  visited,  but  there  were  so 
many  crowding  in  here  of  late  that  it  seemed  as  if  they 
had  done  all  they  possibly  could.  They  were  rejoiced  to 
learn  of  the  liberty  granted  by  General  Curtis  to  issue 
orders  for  rations.  Said  Dr.  Wood,  "The  freedmen  are 
seeking  for  work,  no  matter  what  kind,  but  the  white 
refugees  are  the  most  do-nothing  set  I  ever  saw.''  While 
I  acknowledged  his  position  true  in  most  cases,  yet  there 
were  noble  exceptions,  and  I  mentioned  the  Bethel  family 
and  stated  their  condition.  One  gentleman  said  he  would 
look  after  that  family.  In  confirmation  of  his  remarks  I 
told  of  a  family  of  poor  whites  in  Quindaro  who  were  asked 
to  assist  a  neighbor  in  sickness.  As  there  were  the  mother 
and  two  grown  daughters,  it  was  supposed  one  of  them 
could  be  secured  a  few  days  with  the  promise  of  provisions 
or  money;  but  the  mother  contemptuously  tossed  her  head 
to  one  side  aud  drawled  out  the  reply,  "I  reckon  we  hain't 
come  down  so  low  yet  as  to  work."  I  told  them  they  must 
come  up  high  enough  to  work  before  I  could  do  any  thing 
for  them,  and  left  them  to  sit  in  their  own  filth  and  rags. 


QUANTRELL'S  RAID.  069 

My  order  from  General  Curtis  was  to  report  none  for 
rations  who  could  obtain  work  for  wages.  I  passed  on  to 
other  scenes  of  sorrow  too  numerous  to  narrate  here. 

One  hundred  and  four  rations  I  ordered  in  "Wyandotte. 
This  timely  relief  given,  I  crossed  the  river,  and  in  Kansas 
City,  Missouri,  met  brother  Copelaud  and  wife,  who  were 
efficient  agents  and  teachers  in  that  field.  I  secured  a  pass 
to  Lawrence,  where,  late  in  the  evening,  I  was  directed  to 
a  family  that  had  suffered  much  in  the  Union  cause.  This 
was  the  important  stamping  ground  of  Captain  John 
Brown.  This  city  had  passed  through  two  terrible  raids 
during  the  war.  It  is  here  that  Quautrell  rushed  upon 
the  unsuspecting  citizens  with  a  host  of  Confederate  soldiers 
about  daylight,  and  murdered  men  at  their  own  doors,  and 
when  they  could  not  call  them  out  they  rushed  into  their 
houses  and  made  terrible  havoc  of  human  life.  There  was 
a  woman  here  who  was  a  spy.  She  had  been  in  the  city 
a  few  weeks  taking  horse-back  rides  two  hours  each  morn- 
ing, ostensibly  for  her  health,  but  probably  to  report  the 
most  favorable  time  for  attack.  She  was  never  seen  after 
the  raid.  I  attended  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
where  seventy  wounded,  dying,  and  dead  soldiers  and 
citizens  were  brought  in  after  that  raid.  The  stains  of 
blood  were  still  left  on  the  floor  and  some  of  the  seats. 

The  house  where  I  was  kindly  invited  to  make  my 
home  was  entered,  and  the  owner,  brother  Hockius,  was 
demanded.  His  wife  told  them  she  saw  him  run  up  the 
hill  a  few  moments  before,  which  was  true;  but  on  seeing 
the  Confederate  soldiers  entering  the  town  he  hastened 
back  to  his  house  and  ran  down  to  the  cellar.  A  squad 
of  them  entered  and  placed  the  bayonet  at  his  wife,  and 
threatened  her  life  if  she  did  not  tell  the  whereabouts  of 
her  husband;  but  she  persisted  in  pointing  up  the  hill. 
They  went  down  the  cellar,  but  returned  without  finding 
him,  and  set  the  house  on  fire.  Then  they  ran  up  the  hill 
after  him.  She  succeeded  in  putting  out  the  fire,  and  wont 


370  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

into  the  cellar  and  called  her  husband.  He  answered  from 
between  the  earth  and  the  floor.  This  was  his  hiding-place 
until  the  Union  soldiers  rescued  the  city  from  further 
trouble.  A  strong  Union  force  was  now  kept  at  this  point. 

I  found  fewer  suffering  for  want  of  rations  at  this  town 
than  in  other  places  I  had  visited,  and  took  the  stage  for 
Fort  Scott.  We  were  advised  to  keep  out  of  sight  any 
appearance  of  watches  or  any  sort  of  jewelry,  as  guerrillas 
were  sometimes  lurking  in  the  woods  and  attacked  the 
stages.  We  came  in  sight  of  Indians  on  horses  who  darted 
into  the  woods,  fearing  we  were  guerrillas,  who  had  stolen 
or  robbed  them  of  their  ponies.  One  man  shouted,  "We 
are  all  for  the  Union."  This  was  on  Price's  track,  where 
they  lost  their  horses,  and  did  not  dare  come  in  sight. 

Late  at  night  we  reached  Fort  Scott.  My  first  call  was 
on  Colonel  Blair,  commander  of  the  post,  who,  with  his  wife, 
kindly  offered  me  a  home  with  them  while  I  remained  at 
that  point.  They  introduced  me  to  Dr.  Slocum,  who  gave 
a  sketch  of  the  terrible  destitution  of  the  forty  thousand 
refugees  and  freedmen,  who  passed  through  this  great 
thoroughfare.  Many  of  them  had  stopped  here.  He  took 
me  to  a  number  of  the  destitute  families,  and  gave  direc- 
tions to  others,  and  left  me  to  my  work.  Here  was  a  great 
number  of  the  poor  whites,  called  "Clay-eaters,"  who 
complained  about  government  dealing  rations  to  colored 
people.  I  heard  one  of  them  say  that  "if  niggers  Avould 
stay  where  they  belonged,  with  their  masters,  they  would 
have  more  white-bread  and  beef."  I  told  them,  I  had 
learned  that  many  of  their  husbands  were  fighting  against 
the  government  Avhile  the  husbands  of  many  of  the  col- 
ored women  were  fighting  to  sustain  it,  and  I  should  favor 
those  who  were  on  the  side  of  the  government.  I  asked 
them  why  they  did  not  themselves  remain  in  their  old 
homes?  "We  came  'case  our  men  was  conscripted,"  they 
said.  One  woman  and  her  daughter  of  eighteen  had  each 
a  filthy,  ragged  bedquilt  over  her  shoulders,  and  their  faces 


"POOR  WHITE  TRASH."  371 

were  so  swarthy  that  their  eyes  and  teeth  presented  as 
great  a  contrast  as  those  whose  natural  skin  was  of  darker 
hue.  As  the  little  boy  of  four  years  had  no  shoes,  and  I 
had  a  pair  left  that  would  fit  hirn,  I  told  the  mother  «to 
wash  his  feet  and  try  them.  "Sal,  bring  me  that  cup 
thar,"  said  the  woman.  Their  drinking  cup  with  water 
was  brought.  "Han'  me  that  rag  thar,"  and  she  wet  her 
hand  and  Avet  the  feet,  and  was  wiping  off  the  mud,  when 
I  told  her  they  were  not  washed;  to  look  at  the  mud  on 
the  botton  of  his  feet  and  between  his  toes.  "0,  yez'm," 
she  drawled  out,  and  wet  one  end  of  the  rag  in  the  cup, 
and  made  a  second  effort.  When  the  shoes  were  put  on, 
he  could  not  walk  without  holding  to  his  mother  or  sister. 
They  were  probably  the  first  he  had  ever  had. 

Most  of  the  day  was  spent  in  visiting  this  class  of  per- 
sons— the  most  ignorant,  listless,  and  degraded  of  any  peo- 
ple I  had  ever  met.  On  giving  a  description  of  the  igno- 
rance and  filth  of  the  poor  whites  I  called  on,  Colonel 
Blair  inquired  ' '  What  would  you  do  with  them  ?" 

"I  would  keep  body  and  soul  together  till  Spring  opens," 
I  answered,  "and  then  load  up  your  great  army  wagons, 
and  take  them  out  upon  the  rich  prairies  and  dump  them 
out,  giving  them  the  homely  adage,  'Root,  pig,  or  die.'" 

The  greatest  difficulty  in  managing  this  class  was  to  get 
them  to  do  any  thing.  Not  so  with  colored  people ;  they 
Avould  do  any  thing  they  could  find  to  do. 

I  found  in  this  camp  of  two  thousand,  a  colored  woman 
of  an  earnest  Christian  principle.  Colonel  Blair  gave  her 
an  excellent  character.  He  said  that  I  might  place  implicit 
confidence  in  any  statement  she  would  make.  Her  history 
was  a  novel  one.  She  ran  away  from  a  cruel  master  to 
the  Indians,  and  married  an  old  Indian,  and  had  four  chil- 
dren. She  said  her  husband  came  in  great  excitement  and 
asked  her  if  she  wanted  to  run  away  to  the  Yankees?  She 
said  no,  because  she  thought  they  were  another  tribe  of 
Indians.  He  ran  out,  and  soon  came  back,  and  said,  "If 

25 


372  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

you  run,  go  quick.  I  am  old;  they  can  't  rob  me  of  many 
days,  but  they  sha'  n't  have  the  children  to  punish."  He 
threw  them  on  a  horse  and  ran  off  into  the  woods.  She 
supposed  her  old  master  had  found  her  out,  and  ran  an- 
other way.  Then  she  heard  that  her  husband  was  dead. 
But  the  Lord  hid  her  from  the  cruel  master,  though  he 
broke  up  her  family. 

After  spending  three  days  in  this  place,  including  Sun- 
day, I  took  the  Monday  morning  stage  for  Leavenworth. 
In  sending  packages  to  all  these  places,  to  reliable  friends 
with  whom  I  had  made  acquaintance,  I  requested  that  no 
clothing  be  given  to  healthy  men  and  women  who  refused 
to  do  work  when  they  could  get  it. 

In  one  of  the  hospitals  at  Leavenworth  were  two  Con- 
federates, one  of  whom  had  recently  become  a  Christian. 
He  said  when  he  went  into  this  army  he  knew  not  for 
what  they  were  fighting,  but  when  he  learned  the  real 
cause,  he  was  for  the  Union,  and  should  do  all  be  could 
for  it. 

During  the  month  of  December,  we  relieved  four  hun- 
dred and  forty-four  families.  There  were  thirty  children 
in  both  buildings  under  my  care. 

By  request  of  J.  R.  Brown,  the  Freedmeu's  Aid  Com- 
mission of  Michigan  consented  to  allow  me  to  take  charge 
of  white  refugees  in  connection  with  the  freedmen.  Gen- 
eral Curtis  detailed  a  sergeant  for  my  assistant.  Another 
important  helper  was  a  noble  young  woman,  Amanda  A. 
Way,  who  opened  a  school  for  children  of  inmates  of  the 
two  buildings.  I  found  it  difficult  to  bring  into  school  the 
white  children,  and  only  by  a  requisition  could  I  accom- 
plish it,  or  induce  the  mothers  to  wash  the  hands  and  faces, 
and  comb  the  hair  of  their  children,  to  fit  them  for  school. 

This,  like  all  previous  fields  of  army  mission  work,  was 
a  laborious  one.  Our  Sundays  were  spent  in  teaching  a 
large  class  in  three  Sabbath-schools,  besides  attending  the 
public  services  and  generally  taking  part  in  them.  At  the 


SUPPLIES  DISTRIBUTED.  373 

close  of  one  of  the  meetings,  a  deacon  and  his  wife  rushed 
through  the  crowd  to  me,  and  gave  such  an  exhibition  of 
joy  that  it  drew  the  attention  of  the  congregation.  He 
gave  a  glowing  account  of  my  visit  to  Little  Rock,  Arkan- 
sas, and  of  my  life-long  work  for  their  down-trodden  peo- 
ple. The  hand-shaking  for  half  an  hour  made  my  hands 
Jarne  for  three  days.  The  deacon  bought  himself  when  a 
young  man,  and  acquired  a  property  worth  four  thousand 
dollars.  Slave-holders  often  said  that  he  knew  too  much, 
and  thought  he  was  a  damage  to  their  slaves.  If  they 
lost  any,  they  charged  him  with  aiding  them  away.  He 
was  often  lodged  in  jail  and  fines  imposed  upon  him.  At 
length  he  sold  his  property  at  half  its  value  to  come  to 
Kansas,  where  he  could  breathe  freely. 

On  New  Year's  day  I  found  a  poor  woman  in  the  last 
stages  of  consumption.  She  could  not  speak  a  loud  word. 
I  hired  another  poor  woman  to  care  for  her,  by  giving  bed 
and  wearing  clothes  for  herself  and  children.  I  left  them 
in  tears,  saying,  "  We  thank  you,  honey,  and  praise  God. 
When  my  poor  mother  died  in  that  old  out-cellar,  neither 
father  nor  one  of  us  was  permitted  to  give  her  a  cup  of 
cold  water,  but  the  last  words  she  was  heard  to  say  was, 
'I'm  going  home  to  die  no  more.'" 

I  visited  ten  families  and  sent  four  boxes  more  of  sup- 
plies to  Fort  Scott.  The  next  day  I  took  a  barrel  of  hos- 
pital supplies  to  Fort  Leavenworth. 

My  supplies  were  now  low,  and  the  money  nearly  spent. 
I  received  a  letter  from  the  chairman  of  the  committee 
having  charge  of  preparations  for  the  Ladies'  State  Freed- 
men's  Fair,  to  be  held  in  Detroit,  soliciting  relics  of  the 
war.  J.  R.  Brown  proposed  that  I  should  attend  the  fair 
and  take  his  brother's  sharpshooter,  that  the  captain  car- 
ried through  the  border-ruffian  conflict  in  Kansas,  and 
during  his  movement  at  Harper's  Ferry.  After  a  few  days' 
reflection  I  reached  the  conclusion  to  go.  General  Curtis 
gave  me  a  pass  to  Detroit  and  return. 


374  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

The  John  Brown  gun  created  much  interest  Besides 
this  relic,  the  fifty  pounds  of  slave-irons,  which  we  picked 
up  on  deserted  plantations  in  the  far  South,  were  exhibited 
in  this  fair.  A  petition  from  Lenawee  County  was  sent  to 
the  committee  having  charge  of  the  fair,  to  place  the 
avails  of  our  county,  one  thousand  dollars,  in  my  hands 
for  distribution.  This  money  relieved  much  suffering,  and 
no  doubt  saved  many  lives. 

During  my  visit  home  I  sold  Raisin  Institute  and  ten 
acres  of  laud,  with  an  excellent  orchard,  to  the  State 
Frcedmen's  Aid  Commission  for  an  orphans'  home.  I  do- 
nated three  hundred  dollars  of  the  purchase  money  to  this 
enterprise,  stipulating  that  the  premises  were  to  be  used 
for  no  other  purpose.  In  my  absence  the  friends  gave 
the  asylum  the  name  of  "  Havilaud  Home  for  Homeless 
and  Destitute  Children."  This  home  I  intended  as  a  nu- 
cleus for  a  State  Orphan  Asylum,  as  the  war  had  increased 
the  necessity  for  such  an  institution. 

After  two  weeks'  absence  I  returned  with  supplies. 
Spring  was  lessening  the  suffering,  yet  sickness  from  long  ex- 
posures still  prevailed.  Miss  Fidelia  Phillips,  a  teacher, 
came  with  a  letter  from  the  Michigan  Freedmen's  Aid 
Commission,  for  us  to  locate  and  secure  board,  which  duty 
fell  upon  me.  I  hired  a  conveyance  and  took  her  to  Oska- 
loosa,  Jefferson  County,  and  found  board  for  her  in  the 
kind  family  of  Dr.  J.  Nelson,  who  proposed  to  assist  the 
colored  people  in  securing  a  house  for  the  school  at  once. 

I  found  here  a  poor  sick  woman  with  her  five  children, 
who  was  ordered  out  of  her  cabin,  as  she  could  no  longer 
pay  the  rent.  Dr.  Nelson  promised  to  see  that  she  was 
not  disturbed  until  she  was  able  to  be  moved,  when  he 
would  take  the  family  to  Leavenworth  to  go  with  me  to 
our  Home  for  Homeless  Children  in  Michigan.  Her  hus- 
band was  in  the  army,  and  she  had  not  heard  from  him 
since  he  enlisted.  On  my  return  to  Leavenworth  I  re- 
ceived an  order  from  our  Freedmeu's  Aid  Commission,  to 


THE    REFUGEE    BUILDINGS.  375 

send  twenty-five  children  with  five  mothers  to  assist  in  car- 
ing for  them.  I  accompanied  them  as  far  as  Quincy,  Illi- 
nois, with  Mrs.  Lee  and  a  teacher  who  had  been  in  the 
work  a  few  mouths.  They  pursued  their  journey,  and  I 
went  back 

On  April  15th  the  sad  news  reached  us  of  the  assas- 
sination of  President  Lincoln!  A  nation  in  mourning! 
Every  house  of  any  note  or  size  was  draped  with  black. 

We  were  now  preparing  to  close  the  two  refugee  build- 
ings before  leaving  for  Michigan.  I  offered  the  women  the 
best  dresses  for  finding  their  own  places  for  work,  and  by 
this  means  many  found  places,  if  only  to  work  for  their 
board  till  they  could  do  better.  A  good  old  woman  we 
called  Aunt  Phoebe  came  to  us  with  her  four  grandchil- 
dren, and  begged  to  go  to  Michigan  with  me.  She  said 
the  father  of  the  children  ran  away  to  enlist  in  the  army, 
and  his  master  followed  him.  After  an  absence  of  three 
days,  he  returned  with  the  report  that  he  had  got  sight  at 
him,  and  ordered  him  to  come  to  him,  but  he  refused,  and 
he  shot  him  dead.  At  this  report  his  wife  (the  daughter 
of  Aunt  Phoebe),  gave  a  scream  and  fainted.  Both  mas- 
ter and  mistress  were  very  severe,  and  whipped  her  severely 
for  making  so  much  fuss,  as  they  called  her  grief.  She 
sank  under  their  severity,  and  died,  leaving  her  infant,  a 
week  old,  with  her  mother.  Within  a  few  days  the  oldest 
boy  was  taken  with  small-pox,  but  as  he  was  not  very  near 
the  other  sick  children,  Dr.  Carpenter  thought  the  others 
would  escape.  I  rolled  him  in  a  couple  of  quilts  and  sent 
him  to  the  pest-house.  Aunt  Phoebe  wept  bitterly,  as  she 
said  she  should  probably  never  see  Jerry  again,  and  he 
was  such  a  good  boy  to  help  her  take  care  of  the  other 
children.  A  few  days  later  she  was  taken  with  a  low  type 
of  lung  fever.  I  had  one  of  the  colored  women  in  the 
place  nurse  her. 

The  white  refugee  women  took  but  little  notice  of  my 
offer  of  best  dresses,  in  finding  homes  for  themselves.  I 


376  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

found  these  women  of  the  lowest  class  of  humanity.  I 
called  on  General  Curtis,  and  told  him  I  had  expended 
my  fund  of  lecturing  material  upon  these  white  women  in 
the  refugee  building,  and  now  I  had  come  to  report  to  him 
as  I  had  of  late  threatened  them,  that,  while  I  was  willing 
to  do  to  the  extent  of  ray  ability  in  relieving  and  improv- 
ing the  most  degraded,  I  could  not  consent  to  keep  under 
my  charge  a  house  of  ill-fame.  "  I  will  give  you  a  good 
honest  guard  day  and  night  over  that  building,"  said  the 
noble  general.  This  did  more  than  all  things  else  to  scat- 
ter them.  They  swore  they  would  not  be  tyrannized  over 
by  that  Yankee  woman  any  longer,  and  left,  very  much 
to  my  relief. 

Within  four  weeks  our  little  small-pox  boy  was  returned, 
but  not  as  safe  as  the  surgeon  reported.  I  took  him  into 
the  wash-room  and  gave  him  a  thorough  cleansing,  before 
taking  him  to  see  his  grandmother,  who  wept  for  joy. 

I  spent  a  few  days  in  revisiting  Quindaro,  Lawrence, 
Wyandotte,  and  Kansas  City.  I  found  seven  homeless 
children,  and  a  mother  of  three  of  them  who  Wished  to 
go  with  me  to  Michigan.  During  the  day  and  night  I 
was  in  Kansas  City  I  was  taken  with  a  severe  attack  of 
pneumonia.  I  called  on  an  army  surgeon  for  mustard,  of 
which  I  placed  a  plaster  over  the  seat  of  the  pain,  that  had 
become  so  severe  as  to  cut  every  breath.  I  could  neither  lie 
down  nor  sit  still,  but  walked  the  room.  Placing  the  chil- 
dren in  charge  of  the  mother,  I  telegraphed  my  sergeant 
to  meet  me  at  the  boat  with  a  hack.  I  took  the  boat  for 
Leavenworth,  where  the  carriage  met  me,  and  I  was  taken 
to  our  home,  with  a  high  fever,  but  the  pain  not  quite  so 
severe,  as  the  mustard  was  serving  its  purpose.  Dr.  Car- 
penter said  I  could  not  go  to  Michigan  under  a  month. 
Although  my  side  remained  very  sore,  yet  I  managed  to 
sell  the  furniture.  I  took  a  hack  to  General  Curtis's  office, 
and  managed  to  secure  transportation  for  seventy-five,  my- 
self and  Mrs.  Lee  included.  There  were  three  sick  chil- 


ORPHAN  CHILDREN.  377 

dreii,  and  I  very  much  doubted  the  propriety  of  removing 
them.  Dr.  Carpenter  said  they  would  be  more  likely  to 
live  than  if  taken  to  the  hospital,  as  I  proposed. 

We  left  the  city  May  28th,  with  a  cloud  resting  over 
the  uatiou.  My  health  was  still  poor,  aiid  we  had  three 
sick  children,  whose  mother  was  with  them;  three  other 
children  began  to  complain  of  chills  and  fever  soon  after 
leaving.  These  cases  soon  developed  in  measles,  but  my 
haste  to  reach  home  urged  me  to  proceed  against  my  better 
judgment.  While  it  looked  like  presumption  in  others,  I 
felt  safe,  as  prayer  for  guidance  was  my  daily  bread. 
While  waiting  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  for  the  train,  I  ob- 
tained rations  for  the  company.  Susan  B.  Anthony  had 
provided  a  lunch-basket,  well  filled,  for  Mrs.  Lee  and  my- 
self, to  serve  for  the  entire  journey. 

While  we  were  handing  around  rations,  various  remarks 
were  made  as  to  what  I  was  going  to  do  with  all  this  com- 
pany. Said  one,  ' '  I  reckon  she 's  got  a  big  plantation  to 
stock  with  a  picked  set  of  young  niggers,  she 's  going  to 
train  to  her  own  liking."  Said  another,  "  I  am  going  to 
ask  where  she  is  going  with  them."  At  length  one  ven- 
tured, "Will  you  please  excuse  me,  madam,  if  I  ask  you 
where  you  are  taking  all  this  company?" 

"Certainly,"  was  my  answer;  "I  am  glad  to  inform 
you.  I  am  taking  these  orphan  children,  who  have  been 
picked  up  on  the  streets,  and  out  of  freedmen's  homes,  to 
an  orphan  school  in  Michigan.  By  order  of  the  State 
Freedmen's  Aid  Commission,  they  will  be  sent  to  school 
until  good  homes  can  be  secured  for  them,  where  they  will 
be  taught  habits  of  industry,  as  well  as  to  improve  their 
intellects.  We  of  the  North  think  they  can  learn,  if  an 
opportunity  is  provided." 

At  this  he  was  much  pleased,  and,  as  it  was  communi- 
cated to  other  bystanders,  a  number  came  to  congratulate 
me  in  my  good  work.  One,  who  had  a  large  number  of 
slaves,  said  he  wished  they  were  with  me,  "as  it  would  be 

32 


378  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WOKK. 

a  right  smart  of  a  while  before  it  '11  be  settled  here  to  have 
schools  for  'em." 

All  stood  ready  to  put  the  sick  ones  on  the  train.  Mrs. 
Lee  took  care  of  the  sick  during  the  night,  and  I  had 
them  in  charge  during  the  day. 

After  our  arrival  at  Quiucy,  Illinois,  and  our  transpor- 
tation papers  were  filled  out  for  Chicago,  with  a  little  diffi- 
culty I  secured  the  largest  coach  for  the  seventy-five  pas- 
sengers. By  9  P.  M.  all  were  in  their  beds.  A  few  men 
were  disposed  to  trouble  us,  because  we  did  not  alloAv  them 
to  enter.  I  called  for  the  night  policeman,  and  told  him 
of  four  drunken  men  who  were  disposed  to  give  us  trouble, 
and  as  the  train  was  not  going  out  until  eleven  o'clock  I 
appealed  to  him  for  aid.  He  assured  me  we  should  not 
receive  further  annoyance  from  them.  We  arrived  in 
Chicago  thirty  minutes  before  "the  Michigan  train  left  for 
Adrian.  I  bought  tickets  for  four  omnibus  loads,  but  the 
drivers  were  determined  to  crowd  them  all  into  two.  As 
they  were  putting  little  folks  from  four  to  eight  years  old 
on  the  tops  I  ordered  them  down.  "We  are  capable  of 
taking  care  of  these  children,  madam,"  said  they;  "you 
take  that  one." 

"So  am  I  capable  of  taking  care  of  them,"  I  replied, 
"and  of  you  too;  I  paid  for  four  omnibuses  and  must 
have  them."  They  had  their  own  sport  over  their  counter- 
manded orders. 

We  arrived  at  Adrian  June  1st,  and  met  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  "  Haviland  Home"  with  teams  for  the 
women  and  children.  Here  my  heavy  burden  fell  off,  and 
I  dropped  into  the  home  of  my  children  to  get  the  rest 
which  I  so  much  needed. 

A  few  week's  rest  restored  my  health.  Meanwhile  I 
visited  our  State  Prison,  and  one  of  the  convicts,  Thomas 
Lean,  requested  an  interview  with  me,  which  was  granted 
by  the  officer.  He  appealed  to  me  to  aid  him  in  securing 
his  pardon,  as  he  had  served  seven  years  of  his  term  of 


PETITION  FOR  PARDON.  379 

fifteen.  He  pleaded  as  earnestly  in  behalf  of  his  wife  and 
two  little  children  as  for  himself.  I  told  him  I  would  do 
what  I  could,  but  as  efforts  had  been  made  twice  before,  I 
thought  success  quite  doubtful.  I  drafted  a  petition,  and 
secured  a  letter  of  recommendation  from  Governor  Blair, 
and  a  strong  letter  from  Judge  Ross  Wilkins,  who  gave 
the  sentence,  and  from  the  prosecuting  attorney  who  acted 
in  behalf  of  the  United  States  in  his  case,  and  also  secured 
fifty  other  names  to  the  petition.  With  six  hundred  dol- 
lars placed  in  my  hands  by  Mrs.  Campbell  and  Mrs.  Pap- 
pineau,  committee  who  had  charge  of  the  funds  of  the 
Freedmeu's  Fair,  I  left  for  Washington,  D.  C.,  August  3d. 
At  Pittsburg  I  spent  one  night,  and  on  the  following  day 
visited  the  State  Prison  at  Allegheny  City. 

The  next  morning  I  took  the  early  train  for  Baltimore, 
and  from  thence  to  Annapolis,  to  learn  the  result  of  Eliza- 
beth L.  Comstock's  petition  in  behalf  of  fifteen  convicts  in 
the  Maryland  Penitentiary  for  aiding  slaves  to  escape  from 
bondage.  I  found  ten  of  those  men  had  been  pardoned, 
but  as  four  of  them  had  used  weapons  in  defending  them- 
selves, and  one  had  taken  a  span  of  horses  which  the 
friends  engaged  in  their  behalf  deemed  theft,  they  were 
retained  in  prison.  I  found  another  on  the  governor's 
record  for  the  same  offense.  I  took  the  names  of  the  six 
on  my  list,  as  the  governor  thought  they  were  as  worthy 
of  release  as  the  others,  since  the  weapons  were  designed 
for  self-defense,  and  the  horses  were  only  used  to  take  them 
to  the  river,  and  were  left  to  return  to  their  owners.  I 
saw  the  names  of  the  friends  who  co-operated  with  E.  L. 
Comstock  on  the  petition,  and  called  on  James  Bains,  who 
introduced  me  to  Judge  Bond.  The  judge  said  he  thought 
I  was  correct  in  my  views  as  to  the  worthiness  of  the  six 
men  presented  for  his  recommendation  to  the  governor  for 
clemency,  and  that  he  would  attend  to  it  soon.  Said  the 
Friend:  "If  thou  feel'st  easy  to  petition  for  their  pardon  I 
think  thou  hadst  better  remaiu  with  us  until  it  is  accom- 


380  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

plished,  as  they  have  such  an  amount  of  business  on  hand 
at  this  time." 

The  judge  seemed  to  think  himself  distrusted,  and  said: 
"Mrs.  Havilaud,  I  will  attend  to  this  within  a  week." 
With  this  assurance  I  told  the  judge  and  the  Friend 
that  I  should  feel  easy  to  pursue  my  journey  the  first  of 
the  week. 

From  this  office  I  was  accompanied  to  the  penitentiary 
and  introduced  to  the  warden,  who  sent  a  guide  to  conduct 
me  through  the  shops  and  granted  me  the  privilege  of 
addressing  the  sixty-eight  female  convicts.  A  large  major- 
ity of  them  were  colored,  placed  there  by  their  former 
owners  for  trivial  offenses,  the  real  cause  being  that  of 
leaving  them,  but  ostensibly  for  stealing  a  dress,  a  pair  of 
shoes,  or  a  dollar  or  two,  etc.  One  smart-looking  octoroon 
girl  of  eighteen  years  was  about  to  be  whipped  by  her 
mistress,  but  she  had  heard  of  the  proclamation  of  eman- 
cipation and  concluded  that  she  had  been  whipped  long 
enough,  and  snatched  the  cowhide  from  the  mistress  and 
whipped  her.  For  this  she  was  arrested,  had  a  sham  trial, 
and  a  sentence  of  nine  years'  imprisonment  in  the  peniten- 
tiary. One  man  told  me  that  the  mistress  reported  that 
the  girl  half  killed  her,  but  he  saAV  her  riding  out  within 
four  days  after  the  whipping,  and  she  looked  as  well  as 
usual.  I  visited  a  very  sick  white  woman  in  her  cell,  to 
whom  I  read  a  portion  of  Scripture,  and  at  her  request  led 
in  prayer.  She  said  she  was  going  to  meet  her  Judge,  in 
whom  she  trusted.  Jesus  hears  the  cry  of  a  repentant 
sinner,  and  she  was  confident. 

The  following  day  was  the  Sabbath,  and  I  accompanied 
my  friend  to  the  penitentiary,  where  he  opened  the  Sab- 
bath-school and  invited  me  to  teach  a  class  of  thirty  men. 
There  were  nearly  five  hundred  inmates  in  prison.  As  we 
were  leaving  the  yard  a  request  from  the  warden  reached 
me  to  conduct  the  funeral  service  of  the  woman  I  had 
visited.  She  died  within  a  few  hours  after  I  left.  Three 


PRISONER    PARDONED.  381 

o'clock  P.  M.  was  the  hour  appointed.  I  met  them  in 
their  chapel,  that  was  well  filled,  some  ladies  of  the  city 
being  present.  Many  of  the  convicts  were  much  affected. 
They  also  manifested  great  interest  at  the  meeting  on  the 
previous  day. 

On  the  following  day  I  arrived  at  Washington.  1 
found  the  White  House  perfectly  besieged  with  pardon- 
seekers  from  ex-slave  States.  I  called  on  a  number  of  the 
officials,  who  said  that  the  severity  of  Thomas  Lean's  sen- 
tence made  the  case  look  dark.  I  told  them  of  one  who 
had  robbed  the  mail  of  five  thousand  dollars  and  was  par- 
doned in  three  years,  whose  term  was  ten  years.  But-  he 
had  wealthy  and  influential  friends  to  intercede  for  him, 
while  this  man  robbed  the  mail  of  forty-two  dollars  and 
had  served  over  seven  years  of  the  fifteen,  and  was  poor. 
Besides,  his  wife  was  in  poor  health,  and  was  supporting 
herself  and  two  small  children.  I  was  advised  to  take  the 
letters,  with  petition,  to  Postmaster -general  Dennison, 
from  whom  I  secured  a  recommendation  for  his  pardon. 
From  thence  I  went  to  the  capitol  and  secured  the  names 
of  Hon.  F.  C.  Beaman,  Member  of  Congress,  Senator  Z. 
Chandler,  and  all  other  Michigan  members  of  both  Houses 
to  my  petition;  and  through  Mr.  Wade,  the  President's 
house-keeper,  I  secured  an  audience  with  the  President, 
who  took  my  letters  with  the  petition  and  said  he  would 
refer  them  to  the  Attorney-general,  and  do  what  seemed 
best  in  the  case.  I  then  left  him  with  his  room  crowded 
with  Southern  pardon-seekers. 

While  in  the  Postmaster-general's  office  the  chief  clerk 
said,  "Come  into  this  office  at  nine  A.  M.,  next  Wednes- 
day, as  I  think  that  will  be  his  pardoning  day,  and  you 
will  learn  the  result."  I  waited  until  eleven  A.  M.,  fearing 
for  the  worst.  As  I  opened  the  office-door  the  clerk  threw 
up  both  hands,  crying,  "Your  man  is  pardoned!  your  man 
is  pardoned !  Come  and  see  the  notice  in  this  morning's 
paper."  A  hearty  hand-shaking  followed  the  good  news. 


382  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WOHK. 

I  told  him  I  did  not  know  that  he  had  taken  such  an  inter- 
est in  my  cause.  He  replied,  "I  have  had  an  interest  in 
this  case  from  the  first  time  you  came  into  this  office."  A 
few  days  after  I  received  a  note  from  the  pardoned  man 
conveying  his  tearful  thanks.  Here  was  another  burdeu 
laid  aside,  for  which  grateful  thanks  were  tendered  to  the 
Healer  of  broken  hearts. 

I  received  a  permit  from  Secretary  Stauton  to  trade  at 
the  government  store,  where  new  goods  were  being  sold  at 
auction  rates.  For  five  hundred  dollars  I  purchased  two 
thousand  dollars'  worth  of  supplies  to  disburse  among  the 
sick,  crippled,  and  aged,  both  colored  and  white.  There 
were  many  in  Washington  and  Georgetown  relieved  from 
great  suffering.  I  learned  of  much  suffering  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  and  took  four  hundred  dollars'  worth  to  that  point. 

On  my  way  I  called  at  the  Baltimore  penitentiary.  As 
I  entered  the  warden's  office  he  informed  me  that  our  men 
had  been  released  ten  days  before,  except  one,  who  was 
going  out  within  a  week.  Another  burden  left  me.  These 
men  were  making  offorts  to  free  their  families  by  flight, 
and  were  caught  and  received  long  sentences,  according  to 
the  number  in  their  families.  Three  men  of  the  six  had 
bought  themselves,  and  in  their  efforts  to  free  their  fami- 
lies received  from  ten  to  thirty  years'  sentence,  although 
two  of  these  families  were  recovered  by  their  owners. 
They  all  looked  like  intelligent  men.  I  took  an  early 
train  for  Harper's  Ferry.  In  the  seat  opposite  sat  a  Pres- 
byterian D.  D.,  with  his  body-servant,  who  was  very  at- 
tentive in  bringing  him  his  coffee,  books,  or  roll  of  manu- 
script. "How  far  are  you  going  on  this  road,  madam?" 
inquired  our  dignitary. 

On  informing  him  he  inquired,  "  Have  you  friends  there?" 

"I  have,"  I  said,  "but  I  never  saw  them.  They  are 
the  poorest  of  the  poor,  the  sick,  lame,  and  blind,  of  all 
classes,  black,  white,  red,  or  yellow.  I  draw  no  lines  of 
demarkation." 


A    SOUTHERN"    CLERGYMAN.  383 

"  Well,  madam,  that  is  a  noble  work,  and  God  will 
bless  you  in  it.  I  am  now  on  my  way  to  Vicksburg.  I 
preached  in  that  city  a  number  of  years.  I  own  a  planta- 
tion near  that  city,  and  had  forty  slaves.  A  little  before 
Vicksburg  fell  I  moved  with  them  to  Richmond,  Virginia, 
and  when  that  city  fell  I  set  them  free,  and  they  are  now 
as  free  as  myself.  Madam,  I  will  tell  you  what  your  duty 
is.  It  is  to  go  to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Boston, 
and  gather  up  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  follow  Sherman's 
track  through  to  the  Gulf.  You  will  find  plenty  of  suf- 
fering to  relieve  among  both  white  and  black;  and  you 
can  do  it.  Those  cities  I  have  named  are-  wealthy.  I  have 
been  there  myself.  I  spent  a  few  months  in  New  York, 
and  I  know  you  can  gather  up  that  amount  easy,  and  it's 
your  duty,  madam ;  and  God  will  bless  you  in  it." 

The  consequential  air  he  assumed  would  give  one  an 
impression  that  he,  at  least,  considered  himself  inspired 
with  power  from  on  high.  He  did  not  feel  quite  satisfied 
without  repeating  his  command  on  our  arrival  at  Harper's 
Ferry:  "  Do  as  I  have  told  you,  madam,  and  God  will 
bless  you ;  good  by." 

I  found  my  goods  had  just  arrived,  and  the  commander 
of  the  post  kindly  offered  to  store  the  bales  of  supplies  and 
furnish  an  ambulance  and  driver  whenever  I  desired.  My. 
first  inquiry  was  for  a  boarding  place,  as  the  house  where 
the  colonel  was  boarding  was  full.  Mrs.  Johnson  was 
about  opening  a  boarding-house,  and  I  called  on  her  for  a 
few  days'  board. 

"Where  are  you  from?" 

"From  Washington,"  was  my  reply,  "with  supplies  for 
the  poor  freedmeu  and  whites  who  are  in  a  suffering  con- 
dition." 

"Oh,  you  are  a  Bureau  woman  then.     We  don't  have 
nothiu'  to  do  with  Bureau  folks.     I  can  't  board  you." 

After  being  directed  to  two  others,  who  made  like  in- 
quiries, and  received  like  replies,  I  found  I  was  going  to  have 


384  A  WOMAN'S    LIFK-WURK. 

an  all-day  job  on  hand  in  feeling  the  public  pulse  at  Har- 
per's Ferry.  After  making  eight  calls,  chatting  a  while  at 
each  place  pleasantly,  for  I  would  talk  in  no  other  way, 
although  I  was  told  in  nearly  every  place  that  no  one  in 
that  town  would  disgrace  himself  by  walking  on  the  streets 
with  a  nigger  teacher,  or  speaking  to  one,  on  my  way  to 
report  my  unsuccessful  day's  work  to  the  colonel,  it  being 
after  sunset,  I  found  an  army  surgeon  sitting  on  his  front 
porch. 

"  Have  you  found  no  place  for  dinner?"  he  asked. 

"O  no,"  I  said,  "I  have  been  amusing  myself  over 
Confederate  fever  that  I  find  runs  too  high  for  health  in 
your  town," 

"My  mother-in-law  is  away,"  he  answered,  "but  my 
wife  and  I  will  give  you  our  room  to-night,  and  we  will  see 
that  you  have  supper  at  once." 

At  Mrs.  Bilson's  (the  mother-in-law)  I  remained  during 
the  week. 

At  the  close  of  the  week  I  attended  a  quarterly-meet- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  When  the  min- 
ister invited  all  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  to  testify,  I, 
with  others,  accepted  and  took  part.  At  the  close  he  came 
and  inquired  who  I  was.  I  introduced  myself  as  usual. 
After  reading  my  papers  from  the  Governor,  Members  of 
Congress,  and  a  few  ministers  of  Michigan,  I  received  a 
number  of  invitations  to  their  houses,  which  gave  me  an 
opportunity  to  relate  my  first  day's  experience  in  their 
town.  They  made  a  number  of  excuses.  Among  them 
was  the  fact  that  Miss  Maun  (Horace  Mann's  sister),  kept 
herself  exclusively  with  the  colored  people.  She  not  only 
taught  their  school,  but  boarded  with  them,  and  made 
no  calls  on  white  people.  They  acknowledged  that  those 
upon  whom  I  had  called  were  not  in  sympathy  with  the 
Union. 

Here,  as  in  other  places,  were  those  in  extreme  suffer- 
ing, both  white  and  colored.  One  blind  man,  and  an  old 


MISSION    SCHOOL.  385 

white  man  and  his  wife,  were  too  sick  to  take  care  of  each 
other.  One  sick  woman,  whose  husband  was  in  the  army, 
had  no  fire,  only  as  the  little  girl  of  three  years  old  gath- 
ered old  boots  and  shoes  around  an  old  camp  with  which 
to  build  it.  All  of  these  cases  were  relieved. 

One  day  it  rained  too  hard  to  be  out.  A  little  girl 
brought  an  umbrella  with  a  request  from  her  folks  for 
me  to  call  on  them.  I  went  and  met  about  a  dozen  men 
and  women,  who  wished  to  consult  with  me.  The  troops 
were  liable  to  be  withdrawn.  If  so,  their  lives  would  not 
be  safe  an  hour.  A  few  nights  before  a  mob  broke  their 
windows  and  rushed  into  their  grocery  and  took  sacks  of 
flour  and  meal,  pies,  cakes,  and  crackers,  and  strewed  them 
over  the  street,  in  front  of  their  grocery,  and  broke  up 
their  chairs  and  tables,  and  swore  that  no  nigger  should 
have  a  business  place  on  Main  Street.  They  threw  stones 
and  brickbats  into  their  living  rooms,  and  the  men,  women, 
and  children  ran  to  the  soldiers  for  protection,  with  bleed- 
ing bruises  that  were  bound  up  at  the  time  of  my  call. 
A  sad  picture  they  presented  with  their  broken  furniture 
and  injured  bodies. 

"What  use  is  there  in  gathering  more?  Can  you  tell 
us  what  to  do?  You  see  our  lives  are  in  danger  as  it  is. 
If  the  troops  shall  be  withdrawn,  what  shall  we  do?" 

There  was  a  Free-will  Baptist  just  arrived,  who  pro- 
posed opening  a  mission  school  in  that  town,  and  had  just 
sent  word  that  he  wanted  to  meet  them  at  their  prayer- 
meeting.  Of  this  I,  as  well  as  they,  was  glad  to  hear.  I  met 
with  them,  and  was  pleased  with  the  Christian  spirit  of  this 
brother,  and  the  prospect  of  his  school  among  them  seemed 
like  a  silver  lining  in  their  dark  cloud.  We  learned  of 
his  success  in  opening  and  continuing  that  school,  which  a 
few  years  after  assumed  the  character  of  an  academy. 

The  following  day  I  took  the  train  for  Washington,  and 
was  accompanied  to  the  depot  by  a  number  of  the  citizens, 
who  manifested  very  kindly  feelings.  I  was  told  by  some 

33 


386  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-WORK. 

to  be  sure  to  call  on  them  if  I  ever  visited  their  town 
again,  and  they  would  see  that,  a  week's  or  a  month's  board 
should  cost  me  nothing.  One  man  and  his  wife  pointed 
to  their  brick  house,  to  which  I  could  come,  and  be  more 
than  welcome.  I  left  them,  and  soon  met  kindred  spirits 
in  Washington. 


COLORED    SCHOOLS.  387 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

HOME  MISSION  WORK. 

THERE  were  many  sick,  crippled,  aged,  and  blind  suf- 
ferers in  Washington  to  visit  and  relieve,  but  the  severest 
trial  I  endured  was  encountering  the  virus  of  disloyalty 
wherever  I  went.  Women  were  more  outspoken  than 
men,  because  they  could  dare  be.  Men  were  more  subtle 
and  appeared  more  pliant,  only  to  hoodwink  government. 
They  said  in  secret,  "We'll  yet  gain  by  the  ballot,  with 
the  help  of  Northern  sympathizers,  what  we  failed  to  ac- 
complish with  the  bullet."  By  order  of  President  Johnson 
the  colored  soldiers  were  every  where  discharged  and 
withdrawn  from  forts  and  garrisons,  at  the  request  of  their 
former  masters,  only  to  be  left  to  their  unrelenting  hate. 
One  colored  man  returned  to  the  plantation  of  his  wife's 
master,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  take  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren to  himself,  as  he  had  means,  after  two  years  of  serv- 
ice to  support  them.  The  only  answer  he  received  was 
the  contents  of  a  pistol,  that  took  his  life  instantly!  I 
heard  of  similar  murders  in  this  vicinity,  of  which  no 
notice  was  taken  by  the  State  authorities. 

I  visited  a  number  of  large  schools  in  Alexandria,  Sep- 
tember 14th,  and  was  invited  to  address  them.  Two  of 
these  were  kept  in  two  of  the  largest  slave-pens  in  the 
city.  Alexandria  was  one  of  the  greatest  slave  marts  in 
Virginia.  In  the  Avery  slave-pen  tEere  was  a  dungeon-like 
room,  designed  for  one  standing,  with  iron  staples  to  which 
the  wrists  were  locked,  and  a  sort  of  stocks  for  the  feet,  when 
a  stream  of  cold  water  was  pumped  over  the  nude  form 
of  the  refractory  slave,  from  ten  minutes  to  an  hour  or 
more,  according  to  the  offense.  They  told  me  they  had 

26 


388  A  WOMAN'S  I.IFE-WORK. 

known  them  taken  down  chilled  to  death.  It  was  said  to 
be  one  of  the  most  cruel  punishments.  They  showed  me 
the  stump  of  the  whipping  post,  where  hundreds  of  writh- 
ing victims  had  suffered  this  kind  of  torture.  But  it  did 
seem  as  if  the  better  day  was  coming,  to  see  a  hundred 
and  fifty-three  black  children  here  so  eager  to  learn,  and 
to  hear  them  read  so  well  after  only  four  months'  schooling. 

I  met  a  woman  on  the  street  in  deep  mourning  who 
was  weeping.  I  inquired  the  cause  of  her  grief.  She  said : 
"I  have  been  to  visit  the  grave  of  my  only  son.  His 
father  died  a  few  months  ago,  and  this  darling  son  was 
my  only  child.  He  died  in  the  Union  army ;  but  what 
does  all  this  terrible  sacrifice  amount  to  ?  President  John- 
son is  giving  strength  to  the  rebels.  Every  rebel  ^general 
has  been  pardoned,  and  the  vast  amount  of  land  restored 
to  them  is  increasing  their  power.  You  see,  wherever 
troops  are  withdrawn  they  commit  murders,  and  no  notice 
is  taken  of  it.  I  feel  as  though  my  son's  life  and  thou- 
sands of  other  precious  lives  have  been  sacrificed  for  noth- 
ing." I  could  say  but  little  to  comfort  that  poor,  broken- 
hearted, widowed,  childless  mother.  I  could  only  commend 
her  to  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  alone  can  console  the 
widow's  aching  heart. 

On  September  15th  I  took  a  steamer  for  Richmond, 
Virginia,  and  arrived  on  the  16th  at  Fredericksburg. 
Here  were  standing  many  chimneys,  showing  us  the  waste 
places  and  burned  houses  in  this  small  but  quaint  old  city. 
I  called  at  the  teachers'  boarding-house,  kept  by  a  good 
Union  family,  Wm.  J.  Jeffries.  Mrs.  King  accompanied 
me  to  the  soldiers'  hospital.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  poor 
suffering  soldier  seemed  rejoiced  to  see  and  hear  the  repre- 
sentative of  their  mothers.  After  reading  the  Scripture 
and  prayer  I  left  a  number  in  tears. 

Here  was  the  home  of  General  Washington's  mother. 
I  visited  the  house,  and  a  feeling  of  solemnity  came  over 
me  as  we  passed  through  her  sitting  room  into  the  large 


SCHOOL  FOR  WHITE  CHILDREN.  389 

bed-room,  where  report  said  she  died.  Near  by  is  her 
tomb.  The  pedestal  only  stands  erect,  but  badly  marred 
by  the  chisel  iu  chipping  off  pieces,  by  hundreds  of  visitors. 
Our  teachers  inquired  if  I  would  not  like  a  chip  from  the 
tomb.  I  told  them  that  no  chisel  or  hammer  should  be 
applied  for  me ;  but  I  picked  up  a  little  piece  at  its  base. 
We  had  gone  but  few  rods  before  a  carriage  drove  to  the 
tomb,  and  the  chisel  and  hammer  were  flaking  off  keep- 
sakes for  four  men.  The  long  block  of  marble  designed 
to  have  been  placed  on  the  pedestal  lay  near  it  half  buried 
in  the  ground  where  it  had  lain  nearly  or  quite  a  century. 

After  inspecting  the  rebel  earth-works  and  rifle-pits,  I 
visited  Miss  Strausburg's  school  of  181  poor  white  chil- 
dren, quite  unlike  any  colored  school  I  had  visited  any 
where,  as  to  order.  They  commenced  to  sneer  at  me  the 
moment  I  entered,  but  their  teacher  invited  me  to  speak  to 
the  school,  and  they  became  at  once  quiet  and  respectful. 
Little  James  Stone  asked  permission  to  sing  for  me,  and 
he  sang  a  religious  hymn  in  which  nearly  all  the  school 
joined.  To  my  surprise  they  sang  the  "Red,  White  and 
Blue"  and  "The  Soldier's  Farewell  to  his  Mother,"  for 
which  I  thanked  them.  In  passing  along  the  street  after 
the  school  was  dismissed,  many  of  the  children  came  out 
with  their  mothers,  pointing  toward  me.  At  two  places  I 
halted  to  speak  to  them  and  their  mothers,  which  pleased 
them  very  much. 

The  next  day  I  visited  a  few  Union  families,  who  gave 
some  interesting  facts  concerning  their  trials.  I  left  two 
dollars  with  one  sick  woman,  who  wept  as  I  left  her. 
I  called  at  Major  Johnson's  headq-uarters.  He  was  very 
anxious  to  send  on  an  orphan  baby  one  year  old  to  Camp 
Lcc  orphanage,  in  Richmond.  He  gave  me  a  paper  that 
would  secure  its  admission.  On  arriving  at  Richmond  I 
left  my  charge  at  the  orphanage.  As  no  name  was  on 
the  paper,  or  was  given  to  me  with  the  child,  the  matron, 
Mrs.  Gibbons,  named  him  Havilaud  Gibbous. 


390  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  visited  the  orphanage  a  number  of  times.  The  matron 
said  the  little  fellow  learned  his  name  very  readily.  Here 
was  a  pair  of  twin  boys,  about  two  years  old,  very  black 
and  smart.  As  they  quarreled  so  much  of  the  time,  Judge 
Fitzhugh  proposed  to  name  them  Abe  and  Jeff',  after  the 
two  Presidents.  Though  a  strong  Confederate,  he  said 
they  were  smarter  than  any  white  children  he  ever  saw, 
and  to  prove  his  position  he  called  them  out  to  dance,  as 
he  had  taught  them  to  step  the  figure.  He  sang  for  them, 
and  they  danced  to.  his  music. 

"There,  I  '11  venture  to  say,"  he  said,  "  you  never  saw 
two  white  children  of  their  age  do  that.  I  tell  you  the 
negro  race  is  naturally  smarter  than  the  Anglo-saxou." 

I  told  him  I  was  surprised  at  this  remark,  when  he 
had  told  me  a  few  minutes  before  that  the  negroes  would 
soon  die  out,  because  they  could  not  take  care  of  them- 
selves. 

"That  is  true,"  he  rejoined,  "and  I  have  written  a 
book  in  which  I  take  the  same  position,  and  can  prove  it. 
They  will  do  more  work  than  white  people  can,  but  they 
lack  calculation;  hence  the  necessity  of  their  being  under 
the  supervision  of  the  whites.  We  have  the  planning  fac- 
ulty, and  they  have  the  ability  to  do  the  work.  There  is 
therefore  a  necessity  for  both  races  to  work  together  to  be 
a  successful  people.  I  repeat  what  I  told  you  before,  that 
we  never  shall  prosper  separated.  The  power  of  governing 
must  remain  with  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  and  God  has  so 
designed.  The  Yankees  have  made  a  sad  mistake  in  free- 
ing the  slave,  for  in  time  they  will  become  extinct;  but 
God  will  never  suffer  this  state  of  things  to  remain,  and 
you  will  see  the  South  in  power  in  two  years,  and  the 
North  minus  the  power  she  now  wields. 

I  cited  him  to  black  men  in  Canada,  who  had  escaped 
from  slavery  and  who  had  acquired  wealth,  and  to  one  of 
the  wealthiest  livery  men  in  their  own  city.  I  also  re- 
ferred to  a  shoemaker  who  had  been  free  but  a  few  months. 


"  SOCIOLOGY.'*  391 

His  credit  was  sufficient  to  purchase  ten  dollars'  worth  of 
stock,  which  he  made  up  aud  sold,  paying  for  his  stock; 
he  then  made  another  purchase  and  was  hard  at  work  to 
purchase  a  little  home.  His  wife  was  washing  and  house^ 
cleaning,  with  the  same  object  in  view.  They  told  me 
they  allowed  themselves  meat  but  once  a  week,  and  lived 
on  corn-bread,  mush,  and  molasses,  aud  that  they  intended 
to  live  and  work  in  this  way  until  they  should  succeed. 

"Does  not  this  look  like  calculation?"  I  asked. 

"I  admit,"  he  said,  "there  are  isolated  cases,  but  it  is 
not  the  rule." 

He  gave  me  his  book  to  read,  entitled  "Sociology  of 
the  South,  by  J.  Fitzhugh,  Att'y."  I  found  it  a  perfect 
bundle  of  inconsistencies.  He  goes  into  a  labored  argu- 
meut  against  free-labor,  free-schools,  free-press  and  free- 
speech,  as  destructive  to  a  prosperous  people.  He  claimed 
to  be  a  cousin  of  Gerrit  Smith's  wife,  and  said  that  they 
were  crazy  over  slavery.  He  also  claimed  that  President 
Johnson  was  doing  all  he  could  for  them,  and  that  through 
him  they  were  going  to  have  their  rights  restored.  He 
knew  of  men  who  had  gathered  half  a  bushel  of  Confederate 
money,  and  said  they  should  keep  it  until  it  would  be  worth 
as  much  as  greenbacks.  He  also  knew  men  who  had  bills 
of  sale  of  negroes,  a  foot  deep,  that  they  were  keeping 
to  recover  their  slaves,  or  pay  for  them ;  and  he  was  confi- 
dent that  it  would  be  accomplished  within  two  years.  This 
I  found  to  be  a  very  general  feeling  among  the  most  prom- 
inent Confederates. 

On  September  20th  I  visited  a  number  of  sick  that  I 
supplied  with  bedding  and  clothing.  I  walked  six  miles 
that  day,  and  then  went  to  the  office  of  the  Freedmeu's 
Bureau,  where  I  was  furnished  with  an  ambulance  and 
driver  to  take  things  to  the  sufferers  I  had  visited. 

After  spending  several  days  in  this  work,  visiting 
schools  and  giving  attention  to  many  sufferers,  I  returned, 
weary  in  body  but  restful  in  mind,  aud  thankful  that  the 


392  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

friends  of  humanity  had  made  me  the  almoner  of  their 
gifts. 

On  October  2d  I  spent  some  time  in  Libby  Prison. 
My  sanitary  goods  were  stored  in  one  apartment  of  it.  The 
prisoners  were  vmder  guards,  and  were  permitted  to  assist 
me  in  opening,  closing,  and  moving  barrels  and  boxes,  a 
portion  of  which  I  prepared  to  take  to  Ashland.  One  of 
the  keepers  took  me  to  the  long,  deep  tunnel  which  the 
Union  prisoners  had  dug  under  the  building  to  escape  from 
their  terrible  sufferings.  To  look  at  the  great  risk  they 
were  running  in  their  fruitless  effort  to  escape,  sj)eaks 
loudly  of  the  desperation  to  which  they  were  driven.  My 
guide  gave  me  a  few  of  the  hand-cuffs  that  our  officers 
removed  from  some  of  the  emaciated  prisoners  when  Rich- 
mond was  taken.  The  doors  of  Castle  Thunder  and  Libby 
were  opened,  and  the  hand-cuffs  were  placed  on  their  cruel 
keepers,  who  had  made  a  boast  of  killing  as  many 
Yankees  in  these  prisons  as  their  troops  were  killing  in 
battle. 

I  went  out  some  distance,  October  3d,  to  an  old  camp, 
where  a  school  was  organized  in  an  old  slave-pen.  Here 
was  the  stump  of  the  whipping-post  cut  even  with  the 
ground.  I  was  shown  where  stood  the  auction-block.  As 
I  listened  to  a  history  of  cruelties  inflicted  here  I  did  not 
wonder  that  our  nation  was  compelled  to  pass  through  this 
baptism  of  blood.  Pointing  to  a  large  plantation  in  sight, 
said  one:  "There  lives  my  old  master,  who  said  in  the 
beginning  of  this  Avar,  'Before  my  children  shall  ever  be 
disgraced  with  work  I  will  wade  in  blood  to  the  horse's 
bridle.'  He  did  fight  hard  as  long  as  the  war  lasted. 
But  last  week  he  told  his  two  sons  that  they  must  go  to 
work  or  die.  He  came  into  my  shoe-shop  the  other  day 
with  his  feet  almost  bare,  and  I  took  the  best  pair  of  boots 
I  had  and  gave  them  to  him.  I  know  he  thought  of  old 
days,  for  I  did." 

After  talking  to   the  children  at  school  I  visited  the 


FREED-WOMEN.  393 

aged  and  sick.  Anthony  Wilson,  very  aged,  said,  "Dun 
kno'  how  ole  I  is.  White  folks  say  I 's  more  'n  eighty.  Had 
heaps  o'  ups  an'  downs;  good  many  more  downs  dan  ups; 
ray  big  family  all  tore  to  pieces  two  times."  I  gave  him  a 
whole  suit  of  clothes.  "  Bress  de  good  Lo'd,"  he  exclaimed, 
"dis  is  de  best  suit  I  eber  had;  dis  I  reckon  is  my  freedom 
suit."  Mary  Brackson,  also  very  old,  had  two  little  grand- 
children with  her.  Their  mother  was  sold  down  the  river 
when  the  youngest  was  a  year  old.  Her  life  had  been  a 
sad  one.  She  was  crippled  with  rheumatism,  and  her  arm 
had  been  broken  by  an  overseer's  club.  I  gave  her  a  bed- 
.tick,  quilt,  blanket,  and  a  few  clothes  for  herself  and 
grandchildren.  Then  I  visited  and  relieved  four  other 
families,  to  whom  I  gave  advice,  and  with  the  most  I  read 
and  offered  prayer,  which  always  seemed  to  be  a  great 
comfort  to  them. 

Two  days  after  I  took  a  train  with  supplies  for  Ash- 
land. I  arrived  in  the  afternoon  and  met  an  excellent 
Union  family,  formerly  from  England,  Judge  James,  whose 
house  was  battered  on  each  side  with  bullets  and  shells  in 
the  severe  battle  fought  at  that  place.  This  town,  the 
home  of  some  strong  political  men,  seemed  dilapidated  and 
forsaken.  Judge  James's  wife  and  daughter  were  noble 
women,  and  I  found  a  very  pleasant  home  in  this  family. 
They  directed  me  to  the  most  suffering  families  and  indi- 
viduals. My  first  call  was  on  Charlotte  Boles,  whose 
reply  to  the  query  for  her  age  was,  "I  dun  kuo';  missus 
'specks  I's  eighty,  large  odd."  She  had  served  three  gen- 
erations. 

"I's  had  so  many  children,"  she  said,  "  I  can't  tell  till 
I  call  de  names:  Pomp,  Jim,  Tom,  Sol,  Sue,  Dick,  an' 
Dilcy;  den  some  babies  I's  got  in  heaven.  I  seed  heap  o1 
trouble  in  my  time.  I  nursed  at  de  breas'  eleven  of  my 
firs'  massar's  chillen,  Isaac  Wiston,  and  six  of  his  gran'- 
chillen.  I  dress  'em  firs',  an'  some  on  'em  for  de  grave.  My 
secon'  massar,  William  Winfield,  Jim.,  da  have  six  chillen, 


394  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

ail'  I  dress  'em  all  firs',  and  most  all  at  las'  for  de  grave. 
O  my  God,  I  can  neber,  ueber  tell  de  trouble  I 's  had.  O 
how  hard  I  prayed  for  freedom,  an'  de  Lord  come  at  las'. 
I's  praise  his  name.  De  one  dat  I  nurst  when  a  babie 
ordered  me  whipped  ''case  I  cried  so  much  when  da  sole  my 
chillen  down  de  riber.  But  I  hear  dat  de  war  free  five  of 
my  chillen,  an'  I's  prayiii'  God  to  sen'  'em  to  poor  me. 

Notwithstanding  her  great  age  her  mind  was  unusually 
clear,  and  the  frequent  starting  tear  manifested  strong 
maternal  affection. 

There  was  not  a  house,  yard,  or  grove  but  bore  the 
mark  of  shell  or  bullet. 

An  exciting  scene  passed  before  us  October  15th. 
Young  Mrs.  Pollard,  daughter  of  my  host,  who  had  become 
the  wife  of  the  noted  Confederate  editor  of  the  most  rabid 
paper  in  Richmond,  had  been  forbidden  to  visit  or  even  to 
correspond  with  her  parents.  Her  husband  said  if  she 
should  attempt  it,  it  would  be  at  her  peril.  She  found  him 
to  be  inconstant,  as  he  had  become  the  paramour  of  a 
Cyprian  in  New  York  city,  where  he  spent  several  weeks 
writing  a  book  on  the  bravery  of  Confederate  soldiers. 
When  she  discovered  these  facts,  with  her  heart  full  of 
grief,  she  told  him  the  reports  she  had  heard  of  his  incon- 
stancy. He  acknowledged  all,  and  entreated  her  pardon. 
But  he  soon  became  as  cruel  as  ever.  During  his  absence 
in  New  Ycrk  she  took  her  sou  of  less  than  two  years  and 
came  to  her  father's  house,  a  poor,  heart-broken  woman. 
A  divorce  was  immediately  sued  for,  and  she  received  a 
summons  to  appear  in  court  in  Richmond.  Although  her 
father  was  there  to  receive  her,  she  feared  Mr.  Pollard 
would  take  her  life,  also  her  father's,  at  their  parting. 
She  threw  her  arms  around  her  mother's  neck  and  wept 
upon  her  shoulders;  then,  sobbing,  said,  as  she  rested  her 
head  upon  my  shoulders: 

"Mrs.  Haviland,  you  won't  leave  me  after  our  arrival 
in  Richmond  until  1  am  with  my  father,  will  you?" 


MONEY    DEMANDED.  395 

With  an  assurance  that  I  would  remain  at  her  side 
until  her  father  took  her  under  his  protection,  she  left  her 
babe  with  her  mother  and  we  departed  for  Richmond. 
We  met  her  father,  with  whom  I  felt  she  would  be  safe. 
I  find  these  extremes  of  love  and  hate  more  prevalent  in 
the  South  than  in  the  North. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  after  visiting  fifteen  suffering 
families,  J  called  at  the  office  for  an  ambulance  and  driver 
to  go  to  Libby  Prison  for  supplies.  These  were  obtained 
and  distributed,  and  such  gratitude  from  the  recipients  I 
never  found  elsewhere.  Some  of  them  wept  aloud.  A 
number  of  the  women  kissed  my  hards  as  I  left  them, 
and  the  hearty  "God  bless  you,  honey,"  was  an  every-day 
blessing  from  these  poor  crushed  spirits. 

One  of  our  officers  came  to  me  with  the  urgent  request 
of  two  women,  living  in  a  large  trick  he  use,  to  see  me. 
I  obeyed  the  summons  at  once.  As  I  rang  the  door-bell, 
a  genteelly  dressed  lady  in  black  satin  met  me  at  the  door. 
I  inquired  if  there  were  two  ladies  here  who  had  sent  for 
me?  She  replied  in  the  affirmative.  By  this  time  the 
other  lady  appeared  in  the  hall,  also  dressed  in  rich  silk. 

"What  are  your  greatest  needs,"  I  asked,  "that  will 
come  within  my  power  to  supply?" 

"We  want  money,  madam,"  they  said,  "and  must 
have  it." 

"Are  any  of  your  family  sick?" 

"No,  madam,  but  money  we  must  have." 

"  Will  rations  answer  your  purpose?" 

"No,  madam,  we  want  no  such  thing;  \ve  want  money, 
and  must  have  it." 

I  told  them  I  had  no  money  to  disburse,  and  only  sup 
plied  food  and  clothing  t^  those  who  were  suffering  from 
greatest  destitution,  and  left  them  without  being  invited 
inside  their  house.  I  saw  at  once  they  were  most  accus 
tomed  to  the  imperative  mood. 

The  captain  came  to  me  a  few  days  after  and  inquired 


396  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

if  I  fouud  it  in  the  way  of  my  duty  to  relieve  the  wants 
of  those  two  ladies  ?  I  told  him  I  asked  them  a  few  ques- 
tions and  did  not  think  it  worth  the  money  demanded. 
He  said  they  had  sent  for  him,  and  a  number  of  other 
officers,  making  the  same  demand,  and  as  they  had  not 
succeeded  they  sent  for  me,  and  he  was  not  disappointed 
at  the  result. 

As  I  was  passing  their  news  depot,  I  saw  blazoned  in 
red  letters,  "No  New  Nation  sold  here."  I  stepped  in  and 
inquired  for  their  best  paper.  The  Examiner  was  handed 
me,  edited  by  Pollard,  the  whilom  son-in-law  of  Judge 
James,  one  of  the  most  rabid  Confederate  sheets  in  Rich- 
mond. I  inquired  where  the  New  Nation  was  sold.  They 
said  nowhere,  unless  a  few  "niggers"  might  be  fcund  sell- 
ing it  on  the  street.  One  of  them  poured  forth  a  long 
catalogue  of  epithets:  "Arrant  liar,"  "reckless  villain," 
and  finally  a  "crazy  scamp." 

As  I  was  passing  the  street  one  day,  and  saw  "  New 
Nation,"  I  thought  I  would  call  on  the  "insane  editor," 
Mr.  Hunuicutt.  I  ascended  to  the  third  story,  where  I 
found  the  busy  editor  and  his  son.  They  were  surprised 
to  see  a  lady  of  sufficient  moral  courage  to  call  on  them. 
The  editor  exhibited  a  pile  of  anonymous  letters,  threaten- 
ing his  life.  He  was  an  outspoken  Union  man,  and  had 
received  over  one  hundred  of  these  nameless  letters  within 
three  months.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  said : 

"The  Union  of  the  States  is  a  fixed  fact,  and  I  will 
advocate  it  squarely,  though  it  cost  me  my  life,  but  Union 
principles  must  and  will  prevail." 

I  left  a  dollar  for  a  subscription  to  the  New  Nation  for 
six  months.  As  I  was  about  to  leave,  said  he,  with  tear- 
ful eye : 

"A  select  few  in  this  city  meet  once  a  week  for  a 
prayer-meeting,  but  I  can  not  attend  it  in  the  evening,  as  it 
is  unsafe  for  me  to  be  out  after  dark." 

J  told  him  I  had  received  a  secret  invitation,  and  had 


CAMP    LEE   ORPHANAGE.  397 

attended  each  meeting  since  my  first  knowledge  of  this 
praying  band.  I  told  him  it  was  one  of  the  most  solemn 
meetings  I  had  ever  attended.  As  in  the  days  of  the  apos- 
tles, we  met  in  an  upper  room  at  the  hour  of  prayer, 
where  I  had  heard  the  editor  of  the  New  Nation  remem- 
bered. 

"I  know,"  he  said,  "that  I  have  friends  in  this  city, 
and  some  I  know  are  secretly  friends  for  fear  of  this  bitter 
spirit  that  reigns  to  a  fearful  extent.  Do  n't  forget  to  pray 
for  me  and  my  family.  I  dare  not  bring  my  wife  and 
daughter  to  this  city." 

My  work  kept  me  here  many  days.  November  25th  I 
spent  mostly  at  the  sanitary  rooms  m  Libby  Prison,  with 
Miss  Morris,  a  French  lady,  who  served  as  a  spy  for  the 
Union  generals.  Report  had  it  that  she  was  writing  a 
bcok  of  her  exploits.  A  soldier  told  me  he  saw  her  a  pris- 
oner in  Southern  hands  before  the  fall  of  New  Orleans. 
But  she  managed  to  make  her  escape  from  that  city,  and 
in  disguise  revisited  it,  and  reported  to  our  generals.  She 
could  speak  French  and  German  better  than  our  own  lan- 
guage. She  often  disguised  herself  most  effectually.  Her 
French  politeness  would  have  been  quite  annoying  to  me 
had  it  not  been  for  the  faithful  assistance  she  rendered  in 
seeking  out  the  sick  and  dying,  not  hesitating  to  enter 
filthy  alleys,  dark,  cold  cellars,  or  with  me  to  climb  rickety 
flights  of  stairs  into  dark  attics.  I  have  found  in  almost 
every  place  one  or  more  Christian  women  who  kindly  offered 
to  assist  me,  but  few  would  dare  visit  tnose  filthy  places, 
fearing  contagious  diseases.  Having  had  the  small-pox, 
and  all  other  common  contagious  diseases,  with  my  very 
plain  habits  of  living,  I  dared  to  visit  the  sick  and  dying 
in  any  of  these  loathsome  places,  many  of  which  I  found 
in  Richmond. 

The  next  day,  being  Sunday,  was  spent  as  usual  in 
attending  Sabbath-schools.  I  spoke  in  two  of  them,  and 
in  one  meeting.  At  night  I  was  at  Camp  Lee  Orphanage 


398  A  WOMAN'S  JJFE-WORK. 

with  Annie  Gibbons,  the  matron,  who  had  an  interesting 
group  of  little  folks.  As  they  gathered  around  the  table, 
at  the  tap  of  the  bell,  with  clasped  hands  and  closed  eyes, 
they  repeated  the  verse: 

"  Lord,  teach  a  little  child  to  pray, 
Thy  grace  to  me  impart,"  etc. 

I  met  a  colored  man  from  Raleigh,  North  Carolina, 
who  gave  'a  few  items. of  Andrew  Johnson's  early  history, 
in  regard  to  his  apprenticeship  in  tailoring.  If  there  was 
a  dance  within  reach,  black  or  white,  it  was  all  the  same 
to  "Andy," — he  was  sure  to  be  there.  His  boss,  Mr.  Selby, 
lectured  him  about  his  late  hours,  and  to  evade  these  lec- 
tures he  often  ''turned  in"  with  Handy  Luckett,  a  steady 
old  slave  man,  whose  bed  was  in  the  loft  of  J.  O.  Rork's 
carriage  house. 

At  a  shoe-shop,  I  met  John  Blevins,  a  noble  appearing 
John  Brown  sort  of  man,  whose  sentence  was  forty  years 
in  the  Virginia  Penitentiary  in  Richmond.  His  crime  was, 
aiding  slaves  to  their  God-given  rights.  He  had  served 
sixteen  years  when  Richmond  was  taken.  The  Union  sol- 
diers opened  the  prison  door,  and  John  Blevius,  with  four 
hundred  other  prisoners,  walked  out  free  men.  His  in- 
telligence speaks  of  better  days.  He  is  sixty  years  of 
age,  and  hard  treatment  had  added  ten  years  to  his  ap- 
pearance. During  the  first  few  years  of  his  prison  life  he 
could  tell  when  a  master  had  lost  his  slaves,  as  they  would 
then  place  him  in  the  dungeon,  where  he  was  kept  for 
weeks  at  a  time,  to  compel  him  to  give  the  names  of  other 
abolitionists,  but  they  never  succeeded.  He  was  at  this 
time  teaching  a  colored  school.  Out  of  school-hours,  he 
worked  in  the  shoe-shop,  and  was  trying  to  make  enough 
to  purchase  for  himself  a  suit  of  clothes,  when  he  designed 
returning  to  his  home  in  Philadelphia.  He  had  just  heard 
from  a  family  that  he  assisted  to  their  liberty,  some  of  whom 
had  become  quite  wealthy,  and  Avere  trying  to  find  him. 


MARCIA    COLTOX.  399 

He  had  written  to  them  and  was  expecting  to  receive 
assistance.  Whenever  he  went  out  on  the  streets  he  was 
annoyed  by  half-grown  boys  hooting  after  him,  "Old  John 
Brown,  nigger  thief."  At  the  time  he  was  arrested,  they 
took  all  of  his  money,  amounting  to  five  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  dollars. 

I  visited  a  Baptist  Sabbath-school  where  three  thousand 
members  were  enrolled.  Over  one  thousand  five  hundred 
were  present.  They  were  addressed  by  Professor  Johnson, 
who  introduced  and  invited  me  to  address  the  school. 
They  very  cautiously  discussed  the  coming  holidays,  as 
they  had  never  held  one  there  on  their  own  account.  They 
decided  to  observe  Thanksgiving,  Christmas,  and  celebrate 
the  Proclamation  of  Freedom  on  New  Year's  day.  Their 
minister  advised  his  people  to  be  very  careful  in  word  and 
deed,  so  as  not  to  give  the  least  occasion  for  misconstruing 
their  motives.  Some  of  the  white  people  said  it  ought  not 
to  be  allowed.  They  feared  an  "uprising,"  but  our  soldiers 
said  they  should  have  the  privilege. 

I  visited  Howard  Grove  Hospital,  under  the  charge  of 
Miss  Marcia  Col  ton,  matron.  She  was  a  missionary  among 
the  Choctaw  Indians  nine  years,  and  was  a  noble,  self- 
sacrificing  woman.  The  surgeon  of  the  hospital  was  D.  R. 
Browery.  I  found  a  little  boy  of  about  eight  years,  whose 
mother  he  said  was  "  done  dead."  He  knew  nothing  of 
his  father.  I  took  him  to  Camp  Lee  Orphanage.  Here 
and  there  I  find  kindred  spirits,  but  none  more  devoted  to 
the  cause  of  Christ  than  sister  Marcia  Colton.  She  gave 
herself  entirely  to  the  advancement  of  his  cause  during 
nine  years  of  labor  among  the  poor,  despised  Indians. 
During  the  terrible  conflicts  of  the  war  she  unreservedly 
gave  herself  to  the  suffering  and  dying  soldier,  and  she  said 
that  when  no  longer  called  for  in  that  field  her  life  was 
just  as  cheerfully  given  to  uplifting  the  lowly  among  the 
freed  slaves  of  the  South. 

On  visiting  the  State  Penitentiary,  the  keeper  hesitated 


400  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

about  allowing  me  admittance.  Said  he:  "I  am  afraid 
you'll  give  a  bad  report  of  us,  as  did  Miss  Dix,  who  gave 
us  a  bad  name,  and  I  thought  of  her  as  you  entered  my 
office.  You  look  like  her,  and  I  am  afraid  of  you.  You 
know  we  don't  have  our  prisons  like  yours  of  the  North, 
like  grand  palaces,  with  flower-yards;  and  I  reckon  I  had 
better  not  let  you  in."  I  told  him  I  perceived  they  were 
rebuilding  the  part  burned  awhile  ago,  and  would  make 
due  allowance  for  bad  house-keeping. 

"Well,  if  you'll  do  that,  I  reckon  I'll  have  to  risk  you, 
for  you  '11  see  we  are  whitewashing  the  old  cells  and  other 
parts  of  the  prison,  and  then  you  must  make  allowance 
for  its  age.  It  was  built  in  1800,  and  is  the  first  peniten- 
tiary in  the  world,  and  you  Northerners  have  had  all  these 
sixty-five  years  to  improve  in,  and  then  your  gardens  about 
your  prisons  are  all  so  grand  that  I  am  a  little  afraid  of 
your  report.  But,  steward,  you  may  take  her  through, 
and  we'll  see  what  she'll  do  for  us." 

I  discovered  a  contrast,  it  is  true.  But,  as  in  other 
places  in  the  South,  they  seem  a  century  behind  the  times. 
I  found  here,  as  in  our  State  prisons,  a  majority  of  the 
convicts  were  left  orphans  in  childhood.  The  number  of 
inmates  was  at  that  time  two  hundred  and  twenty-four.  I 
called  on  the  general  in  command  to  inquire  for  Oliver 
Williams,  whose  wife  requested  me  to  "see  if  I  could  find 
him.  She  was  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  had  not  heard 
from  him  for  a  long  while.  I  found  he  had  been  sentenced 
to  three  months'  imprisonment  to  hard  labor,  with  ball  and 
chain,  but  the  time  had  now  expired.  The  general  referred 
me  to  Fortress  Monroe,  as  the  military  prisoners  had  been 
removed  to  that  prison.  He  advised  me  to  call  on  Gover- 
nor Pierpout,  who  gave  the  same  reference,  and  gave  me 
some  interesting  items  concerning  this  State.  He  said 
that,  but  for  slavery,  Virginia  would  have  been  one  of  the 
richest  States  in  the  Union  in  mines.  Colored  men  were 
then  making  a  dollar  a  day  in  gathering  gold  dust  without 


NEW    YEAR   CELEBRATION.  401 

the  facilities  of  enterprising  meii  with  capital.  There  were 
also  silver,  copper,  nickel,  and  a  fine  quality  of  kaolin  or 
porcelain  clay.  He  exhibited  a  specimen  of  each  metal, 
and  two  bowls  made  of  the  native  kaolin,  a  very  fine 
material.  To  show  the  absorbing  interest  in  slave-dealing 
he  gave  the  figures  of  income,  as  shown  during  the  discus- 
sions in  their  State  Convention  in  1861.  The  Metropolitan 
Press  reported  that  "the  income  from  slaves  for  the  last 
twenty  years  amounted  to  tw«uty  millions  of  dollars  annu- 
ally, and  from  all  other  products  eight  million  dollars 
annually."  This  Governor  Pierpont  believed  to  be  a  true 
estimate. 

I  called  at  Sarah  E.  Smiley's  Teachers'  Home.  Here 
I  found  Rachel  Snell,  daughter  of  Richard  Snell,  of  Lock- 
port,  New  York,  my  old  childhood  home.  With  this  group 
of  kindred  spirits  I  spent  a  refreshing  season  during  a 
hard  rain. 

New  Year's  Day,  1866,  was  long  dreaded  by  a  large 
majority  of  the  white  citizens  of  Richmond.  Great  excite- 
ment prevailed  over  its  celebration  by  the  colored  people. 
Soldiers  were  seen  in  every  direction.  A  few  companies  of 
colored  men  went  on  the  common  to  organize  for-  the  day's 
procession.  The  citizens  were  excited  over  that,  and  said 
they  were  preparing  for  "insurrection."  They  had  per- 
mission from  the  governor  to  form  in  front  of  the  State 
House.  In  the  park  were  rustic  seats  of  ancient  style, 
chipped  off  and  notched  here  and  there,  yet  a  colored  per- 
son had  never  been  allowed  inside  unless  as  the  body 
servant  of  his  master.  But  now  their  banners  of  various 
devices  were  floating,  interspersed  with  United  States  flags. 
Each  society  had  its  motto,  such  as,  "Peace,  Liberty,  and 
Freedom  with  all  Mankind;"  "Union,  Liberty's  Protecting 
Society;"  "Peace,  Good  Will  to  all  Mankind;"  "In  Union 
there  is  Strength;"  "In  God  we  Trust."  On  a  blue  satin 
banner  were  initials  of  a  Benevolent  Protective  Association. 
The  religious  exercises  were  opened  in  +-he  morning  by 


402  A  WOMAN'S  LIFFMVORK. 

reading  the  eighth  chapter  of  Deuteronomy  and  singing  an 
appropriate  hymn.  The  text  of  the  minister's  discourse  was 
a  part  of  the  second  verse,  "And  thou  shall  remember  all 
the  way  which  the  Lord  thy  God  led  thee  forty  years  in 
the  wilderness."  The  minister  could  read  qirte  well,  though 
his  life  had  been  spent  in  slavery.  He  presented  the  past 
and  present  prospects  of  his  people  in  a  clear  and  affecting 
manner,  and  the  necessity  of  remembering  the  past,  to 
be  fully  prepared  to  praise  God  for  the  precious  bojn  of 
freedom  he  had  bestowed  upon  their  race.  There  were 
four  .very  large  congregations  opened  this  morning  in  a 
similar  manner,  and  songs  of  praise  were  heard  from  the 
marching  multitudes  wending  their  way  to  the  State  House 
Park.  There  was  shooting  from  a  hotel  window.  Two  of 
the  suspected  men  were  taken  to  Libby  Prison.  With  the 
soldiers  on  the  alert,  and  an  increased  force  of  policemen, 
they  had  no  further  trouble. 

At  the  meeting  of  fifteen  thousand  r.r  more  in  the  park 
good  order  prevailed.  I  passed  along  through  the  moving 
masses,  a  silent  listener  to  many  outburstings  of  joy,  con- 
trasting with  past  sorrows — a  great  change  indeed.  Editor 
Huunicutt,  of  the  New  Nation,  was  called  upon  to  make  a 
speech,  and  r;e  exhorted  them  to  cultivate  industry,  hon- 
esty, and  virtue.  He  was  followed  by  a  number  of  others. 
At  three  o'clock  the  crowds  began  to  disperse,  so  as  to  reach 
their  homes  before  nightfall.  It  is  passing  strange  why 
the  white  people  here  were  so  much  excited  over  this  cele- 
bration. There  were  two  colored  Baptist  Churches  burned 
two  nights  before,  and  on  the  night  previous  threats  were 
made  that  all  who  took  part  in  the  celebration  would  lose 
their  places  of  business. 

The  Episcopalian  rector  came  after  ten  P.  M.  the  same 
night  to  advise  the  two  teachers,  Mrs.  Starky  and  Miss 
Hicks,  to  continue  their  school,  and  persuade  the  scholars 
to  remain,  and  take  no  part  in  it  themselves  whatever,  as 
the  white  people  said  this  rejoicing  was  over  the  fall  of 


DRAWING    RATIONS.  403 

Richmond  and  the  downfall  of  the  Confederacy.  This 
idea  was  dwelt  upon  to  such  an  extent  that  the  Committee 
of  Arrangements  printed  circulars  and  scattered  through 
town  during  the  week  previous,  stating  their  object  in  full, 
"  that  it  was  only  to  celebrate  the  day  that  God  gave  free- 
dom to  their  race,  and  nothing  more."  But  "insurrection" 
"  uprising  among  the  •  negroes,"  had  been  household  words 
since  the  days  of  Nat  Turner.  The  rebel  flag  was  carried 
past  Sarah  E.  Smiley's  Mission  Home  for  Teachers  twice 
that  day.  Had  the  fact  been  reported  at  head-quarters, 
the  bearers  would  have  found  themselves  in  the  military 
prison. 

As  the  army  was  being  disbanded,  and  rations  curtailed, 
and  the  suffering  for  want  of  them  equaled  that  for  cloth- 
ing, I  was  informed  by  the  general  in  command  that  there 
were  more  calls  for  rations  by  white  than  the  colored  peo- 
ple since  the  fall  of  Richmond.  Said  he:  "I  will  mention 
a  few  to  show  the  importance  of  investigation.  Daniel 
Lacy  had  nine  houses  and  servants  and  applied  for  and 
drew  rations  for  his  whole  family.  John  Kimbo  had  serv- 
ants out  at  work  and  drew  rations  for  all  his  family,  and 
had  a  number  of  houses.  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Moseby  had  a 
grocery  store  well  supplied,  and  drew  rations  and  sold  them. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hunt  also  kept  a  full  grocery,  and  drew 
rations  to  sell.  Mrs.  Sophia  Coach,  whose  husband  was  a 
plasterer,  drew  rations.  Mrs.  Miller  represented  herself  as 
a  widow,  and  drew  rations  all  the  season,  but  I  found  out 
that  she  had  a  husband  at  home  all  this  time.  Mrs.  Hous- 
ton had  a  husband,  but  represented  herself  a  widow,  and 
drew  rations  and  wood,  as  did  all  the  others.  The  whole 
of  two  blocks  drew  rations,  and  most  of  them  wood.  Jo- 
seph Mayo,  who  is  mayor  of  the  city,  and  was  when  it  fell 
into  Union  hands,  drew  rations,  and  owns  a  number  of 
houses,  and  has  servants.  Ten  years  ago  his  slave  Marga- 
ret's babe  died  with  the  croup,  and  he  charged  her  with 
choking  it  to  death,  and  had  her  hung  on  the  scaffold  after 

27 


404  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE- WORK. 

being  whipped  almost  to  death.  lie  sent  one  of  his  slave 
women  to  the  penitentiary  six  months  ago,  for  a  trivial 
offense.  I  heard  by  one  of  her  friends,  that  she  said  it 
was  a  relief,  for  she  was  treated  better  there  than  at  her 
master's.  She  is  so  rejoiced  to  learn  that  when  she  comes 
out  she  will  be  a  free  woman,  and  never  again  be  com 
pellet!  to  serve  that  cruel  master.  But  what  contrasts  we 
find  here  in  both  races!  I  have  never  found  as  much 
lying,  misrepresentation,  and  cheating,  among  the  negroes 
as  among  the  white  people,  in  my  experience  in  this  four 
years  of  war.  Our  records  show  more  rations,  wood,  and 
coal  issued  to  the  whites  than  to  the  blacks  in  the  State 
of  Virginia." 

I  was  careful  to  take  down  these  items,  in  writing,  as 
he  gave  them,  in  his  office.  O,  what  changes,  what  re- 
verses, were  here  experienced.  A.  R.  Brooks,  who  bought 
himself  fourteen  years  ago,  was  now  a  wealthy  man,  owned 
ten  horses,  and  six  fine  hacks  and  carriages,  and  his  for- 
mer master,  by  the  fall  of  the  Confederate  government, 
was  reduced  almost  to  beggary.  A  few  months  ago  he 
sold  his  plantation  of  three  thousand  acres  for  Confederate 
money,  and  is  now  penniless.  Last  February  his  wife,  died, 
and  his  former  slave,  A.  R.  Brooks,  bore  the  entire  expense 
of  her  burial.  He  said  he  praised  the  Lord  for  giving 
him  the  ability  to  do  it.  But  how  greatly  was  that  wealthy 
planter,  Henry  A.  Winfy,  now  changed  in  his  prospects, 
when,  a  few  months  before,  he  considered  himself  the 
owner  of  three  thousand  acres,  "well  stocked"  with  slaves 
to  work  it. 

With  every  day  come  new  scenes,  and  yet  such  a  simi- 
larity; investigating,  relieving,  reading  Scriptures,  advis- 
ing, and  often  by  the  cot  of  the  sick  and  dying.  I  often 
felt  myself  a  stranger  in  a  strange  laud,  and  yet  I  was 
never  alone.  Although  boisterous  waves  dashed  around 
me,  yet  the  dear  Savior  was  near  at  hand. 

I  learned  of  much  suffering  on  the  Peninsula,  and  tie- 


LEAVING    RICHMOND.  405 

ckled  to  take  the  rest  of  my  supplies  down  the  James 
River  to  Williamsburg.  While  arranging  my  packages  for 
leaving  Libby,  a  multitude  of  people  were  thronging  the 
street  near  the  prison.  I  inquired  for  the  cause  of  this 
excitement,  and  was  informed  that  a  Union  soldier  was 
about  to  be  executed  for  murdering  a  man  for  his  money, 
horse,  and  buggy.  As  he  was  led  out  of  prison  upon  the 
scaffold  I  hurried  away,  trembling  with  the  terrible  thought 
that  a  young  life  was  about  to  be  taken.  As  it  was  im- 
possible for  me  to  speak  to  him  I  hastened  to  escape  the 
sound  of  the  drop,  but  did  not  succeed.  The  horrors  of 
war  no  pen  can  describe,  no  tongue  can  utter,  no  pencil 
can  paint.  The  demoralizing  influence  over  the  soldier  is 
dreadful.  No  doubt  desertion  was  this  fellow's  aim,  and, 
to  serve  his  purpose,  he  fell  into  this  strong  temptation 
and  crime.  Desertion  cost  the  life  of  one  whom  I  saw  in 
Mississippi  sitting  on  a  white-pine  coffin  and  followed  by 
his  armed  comrades,  who  were  soon  to  take  his  life.  It 
was  then  as  now,  too  late  to  speak  a  word  to  that  soldier- 
boy.  And  I  hastened  to  outdistance  the  report  of  the  guns 
that  took  his  life.  But  I  failed,  as  in  the  present  sad 
event. 

I  called  on  a  number  of  friends  and  co-laborers  in 
Richmond;  for  here,  as  in  every  place,  I  have  found  kin- 
dred spirits.  I  spent  the  night  with  dear  sisters  in  Christ, 
who  labored  in  his  vineyard  to  uplift  the  lowly.  Scrip- 
ture reading  and  prayer  closed  this  eventful  day. 

On  March  3d,  at  six  o'clock  A.  M.,  I  left  Richmond 
and  took  the  steamer  Martin  at  the  Rockets,  followed  by 
my  friend,  Mrs.  Morris,  with  a  basket  of  fresh  cakes, 
apples,  oranges,  and  a  bottle  of  wine.  I  asked  her  to  ex- 
cuse me  for  objecting  to  the  bottle  of  wine,  as  I  never 
drank  it. 

"O,  indeed,  you  must  take  it;  your  royal  highness  may 
be  ill,  and  you  may  find  it  quite  proper  to  take  a  little 
wine  for  your  '  stomach's  sake.'  Do  n't,  my  dear  madam, 


406  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

refuse  your  most  bumble  servant  the  privilege  of  present- 
ing tbis  basket  and  its  contents,  wine  and  all,  to  my  royal 
madam." 

And  I  saw  by  tbe  starting  tear  that  she  would  feel 
quite  hurt  if  I  refused  her,  and  accepted  her  gift. 

As  we  steamed  down  the  river  I  saw  many  little  hil- 
locks where  were  buried  the  fallen  soldiers  who  left  their 
northern  homes  with  high  hopes  of  saving  the  nation's  life 
from  the  hand  of  treason.  Here  they  fell  long  before 
Richmond  was  taken.  We  passed  Burmuda  Hundred 
and  City  Point,  upon  which  stood  General  Grant's  head- 
quarters. Next  came  Harrison's  Landing,  near  President 
Harrison's  birth-place,  an  ancient  appearing  building  situ- 
ated upon  a  high  bluff. 

At  Wilson's  Landing  and  Clarmouut  Landing  there  was 
a  high  bank,  upon  which  lived  one  of  the  wealthiest  men 
in  the  State  of  Virginia,  William  Allen,  who  adopted  the 
name  of  his  father-in-law  for  the  sake  of  his  immense 
wealth.  William  Allen,  sen.,  had  no  sou,  but  an  only 
daughter,  and  he  offered  his  entire  estate  to  any  young 
man  whom  his  daughter  might  be  pleased  to  accept,  if  he 
would  assume  his  name;  he  cared  not  how  poor  he  might 
be,  if  he  was  only  respectable.  The  daughter  had  many 
suitors,  but  at  length  a  young  man  won  this  bride  and 
adopted  the  whole  name — William  Allen.  At  the  death 
of  the  father-in-law  he  came  into  possession  of  thirteen 
plantations  and  over  four  thousand  slaves.  All  these  plan- 
tations were  managed  by  overseers.  One  man  told  me  he 
had  seen  him  take  a  keg  of  gold  and  silver  coins  down  to 
the  sand-bank,  with  a  company  of  his  comrades,  on  a  holi- 
day spree,  and  when  they  were  all  thoroughly  drunk  he 
would  take  up  a  handful  of  gold  and  silver  pieces,  throw 
them  in  the  sand,  and  tell  them  to  scramble,  and  he  that 
got  the  most  was  the  best  fellow.  He,  with  the  rest, 
"scrambled,"  as  he  called  it.  William  Allen  declared  that 
the  Yankees  had  robbed  him  of  fiftv  thousand  dollars' 


AT    JAMESTOWN.  407 

worth  of  negroes  under  ten  years  of  age,  and  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  slaves 
above  that  age. 

At  twelve  o'clock  we  landed  at  Jamestown.  In  this 
old,  dilapidated  place  were  yet  standing  brick  walls  of 
three  old  buildings  open  to  the  birds  and  the  bats.  The 
brick  of  these  half-torn  down  buildings  were  transported 
from  England  more  than  two  hundred  years  ago.  I  saw  a 
piece  of  a  marble  slab  from  the  graveyard  dated  1626, 
broken  in  pieces  by  soldiers  for  relics.  We  were  soon  met 
by  the  ambulance-driver,  and  he  took  us  through  a  nice 
field  of  wheat  owned  by  William  Allen,  just  referred  to, 
who  was  one  of  our  passengers  to  the  ancient  city  of 
Williamsburg.  Here  was  a  large  insane  asylum,  built 
of  imported  bricks  from  England,  with  a  marble  front, 
erected  by  Lord  Bottetourt,  governor  of  the  colony.  It 
was  founded  in  1688.  The  tower  was  ninety-six  feet  high, 
and  the  number  of  inmates  one  hundred  and  one,  forty- 
two  of  whom  were  colored.  Robert  M.  Garrett  was  the 
physician  and  superintendent.  This  is  the  oldest  institu- 
tion of  the  kind  in  the  Union.  In  the  front  yard  of  this 
asylum  stands,  in  life-size,  the  statue  of  Lord  Bottetourt. 
As  we  were  passing  through  the  apartments  we  listened  to 
a  very  sweet  voice  singing  a  hymn.  Said  my  guide,  "Mr. 
Scott  is  singing  for  you.  He  is  General  Winfield  Scott's 
nephew.  He  bet  both  of  his  plantations  that  the  Confed- 
erates would  succeed  in  this  war,  and  when  Richmond  fell 
he  became  insane  and  was  brought  here  two  weeks  ago." 

I  was  shown  an  old  brick  church  in  which  was  a  colored 
school  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  scholars,  taught  by 
Miss  Barton,  of  Connecticut,  and  a  gentleman  from  Mich- 
igan. Here  I  found  myself  at  home  at  once.  There  were 
here,  previous  to  the  late  war,  two  institutions  of  learning — 
the  William  and  Mary  College  at  one  end  of  the  main 
street,  and  at  the  other,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant, 
the  female  seminary.  The  college  was  burned  in  the 


408  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

war  of  1776,  again  in  the  war  of  1812,  and,  for  the  third 
time,  a  few  months  before  I  was  there.  There  was  no  school 
now  in  the  female  seminary,  and  it  looked  as  if  waiting 
for  repairs.  Here  is  the  old  ivy-bound  church  in  which 
George  Washington  was  married.  The  bricks  of  this  build- 
ing were  also  brought  from  England.  This  town  was  the 
capital  of  this  State  previous  to  its  removal  to  Richmond. 

I  walked  nearly  two  miles  to  Fort  Magruder,  where 
I  found  a  colored  school  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight 
members,  taught  by  Maggie  Thorpe  and  Martha  Haines, 
of  New  York,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
To  accommodate  men  and  women  who  could  not  leave 
their  work  during  the  day  they  opened  a  night  school,  and 
had  fifty  of  that  class.  Half  of  these  did  not  know  their 
letters  when  their  school  opened  in  February,  and  could 
then  read  quite  fluently  in  the  second  and  third  readers. 
A  few  miles  further  there  was  another  school  of  thirty 
scholars  who  had  made  commendable  progress. 

The  teachers  informed  me  that  there  were  many  very 
old  people  on  the  oldest  plantation  near  King's  Mill,  who 
needed  help.  I  was  furnished  with  an  ambulance,  in  which 
I  took  a  bale  of  bedding  and  clothing,  and  went  from 
cabin  to  cabin  to  visit  twenty-seven  aged  people,  from 
sixty  to  a  hundred  and  five  years  of  age.  After  learning 
their  most  urgent  needs,  I  selected  supplies  for  each.  When 
I  expressed  my  surprise  at  seeing  the  old  plantation  with 
such  a  grove  of  woods,  Uncle  Bob  Jones,  the  oldest  of  them 
all,  said: 

"Missus,  all  dat  woods  on  dat  side  I  helped  clar  off 
when  firs'  woods  was  thar,  beech,  maple  an'  linn  wood, 
only  now  an'  agin  a  pine.  Den  we  work  it  till  it  wore  out, 
an'  would  n't  noffin  grow  on  it,  an'  we  lef '  it  to  grow  up  to 
de  pines  yon  see." 

"Is  this  possible?"  I  said.  "I  saw  men  chopping  saw- 
mill logs  as  I  came  through  that  wood." 

"Yes,  missus,"  he  answered;   "shure's  you  are   bo'n, 


A    NEW    QUH.T.  409 

n>j  sweat  lies  dar  under  dem  big  tree  roots.  My  Milla  au' 
me.  was  married  when  we 's  chillen,  an'  we  's  had  a  good 
many  chillen,  but  de  Lo'd  knows  whar  da's  gone  to;  da 
sole  down  de  riber,  many,  many  year  ago.  But  we  prayed 
to  Lo'd  Jesus  to  take  keer  on  'em  all  dese  years,  au'  we  '11 
go  home  to  glory  soon." 

In  answer  to  my  query  as  to  his  age,  he  said : 

"Massa  Moses'  book  say  I 's  a  hundred  an'  five,  an' 
my  Milla 's  a  hundred  an'  three.  I  might  slip  count  a  year 
or  two,  but  I  reckon  not." 

I  never  before  met  one  couple  living  to  this  advanced 
age.  I  gave  them  the  best  new  quilt  I  had,  made  by  a 
class  of  Sabbath-school  girls,  from  eight  to  fifteen  years  of 
age,  in  Wayne  County,  Michigan.  The  names  of  the  little 
girls  were  written  on  the  blocks  they  pieced.  The  old  man 
was  quite  blind,  but  he  felt  of  it;  then  he  exclaimed: 

"  Missus,  did  you  say  little  white  gals  made  this?  Lo'd 
bless  the  little  angels!  Honey,  look  at  dis;  we's  neber 
had  sich  a  nice  bed-kiver  in  all  our  lives." 

To  this  she  assented : 

"I  see  it 's  a  beauty ;  we 's  neber  had  sich  a  kiver  afore, 
missus ;  tell  de  sweet  little  angels  we  '11  pray  for  'em  as 
long  as  we  live." 

"Yes,  tell  'em  we  won't  stop  prayin'  for  'em  when  we 
gits  up  yonder,  in  de  mansions,"  rejoined  the  old  man. 

It  seemed  to  them  wonderful  that  white  girls  should 
make  such  a  nice  quilt  for  black  folks,  and  they  were  in 
an  ecstasy  over  the  surprise.  Aunt  Milla  could  see  to  do 
considerable  work  in  their  little  garden  patch,  that  some 
of  the  younger  men  among  them  had  spaded  for  her. 
Every  thing  about  their  little  cabin  was  neat  and  clean, 
and  their  clothes  were  well  patched.  Uncle  Bob  had  been 
off  this  plantation  but  twice  in  his  life ;  then  he  went  to 
Williamsburg.  It  was  affecting  to  see  these  old,  worn-out 
slaves  rejoicing  over  freedom,  but  it  seemed  to  be  more  on 
account  of  their  children  and  of  their  race.  They  had 


410  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

passed  through  many  hard  trials,  but  their  faith  was  strong 
that  they  were  soon  going  to  rest  with  Jesus. 

A  colored  man  brought  two  cripples  to  me,  in  his  cart, 
for  relief,  and  their  wants  were  supplied.  He  said  he 
wished  I  could  see  two  old  men  who  were  living  in  the 
mill.  One  of  them  was  an  old  soldier  in  the  Jackson  war. 
My  ambulance  friend  took  me  to  the  old  brick  mill,  that 
was  the  first  one  built  in  that  country,  they  said,  more 
than  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  The  roof  was  cov- 
ered with  thick  moss.  The  cedar  shingles,  as  well  as  bricks, 
were  brought  from  England. 

I  found  here  an  intelligent  mulatto  man,  of  about  sixty 
years,  who  had  had  a  fever-sore  a  little  above  the  ankle  a 
number  of  years.  He  was  the  eldest  of  twenty-seven  chil- 
dren. His  mother  had  thirteen  pairs  of  twins,  and  he  the 
only  single  child,  and  they  were  all  sold  to  slave-dealers  of 
the  lower  States. 

"When  my  mother  died  in  the  cold  cellar,"  he  told  me, 
"I  begged  to  see  her,  but  my  old  master  said  he  would 
shoot  me  if  I  dared  to  set  foot  on  his  plantation,  'case  I'd 
been  with  Yankees;  and  she  died  one  year  ago,  without  a 
child  to  give  her  a  sip  of  water.  My  wife  and  seven  chil- 
dren belong  to  another  man,  who  said  he  would  shoot  my 
brains  out  if  I  dared  to  come  on  his  plantation.  But  I  pray 
God  to  help  my  wife  to  go  to  the  soldiers  before  they  are 
all  gone,  and  get  them  to  help  her  to  come  to  me  with  our 
children.  I  was  one  of  the  slaves  that  master  promised 
freedom,  at  the  close  of  General  Jackson's  war,  and  the 
general  promised  us  ten  dollars  a  month  besides  during 
service,  which  was  one  year  and  eight  months.  There 
were  five  regiments  of  colored  men.  Some  got  their  free- 
dom as  promised,  but  my  master  and  many  others  were 
more  severe  than  ever.  On  my  return  home  I  reminded 
my  master  of  the  promise  of  freedom  by  him  and  General 
Jackson,  but  I  found  it  unsafe  to  say  any  thing  more  about 
it.  We  thought  General  Jackson  ought  to  have  seen  the 


TWO    AGED   SISTERS.  411 

promise  made  good,  as  long  as  he  promised  freedom  as  well 
as  our  masters.  He  gave  us  credit  for  being  among  the 
best  soldiers  he  had.  But  we  never  would  have  fought  as 
we  did  had  it  not  been  for  freedom  ahead.  We  pledged 
ourselves  to  each  other,  that  we  never  would  fight  for  white 
folks  again,  unless  we  knew  our  freedom  was  sure.  And 
never  would  our  people  have  gone  into  this  war  had  it  not 
been  for  the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  from  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  whole  United  States." 

This  man  was  the  most  intelligent  and  used  the  best 
language  of  any  colored  person  of  his  age  I  met  in  this 
portion  of  Virginia.  His  mother's  name  was  Maria  Samp- 
son. She  lived  and  died  in  King  William  County,  Vir- 
ginia. There  were  twenty  sons  and  seven  daughters  of  her 
own.  Yet,  through  wicked  enactments,  her  master  tore 
from  her  every  one,  and  claimed  her  own  body  besides,  as 
a  valuable  piece  of  property. 

My  next  visit  was  to  an  old  brick  kitchen.  In  the 
"  loft,"  lived  two  aged  sisters  of  seventy-five  and  eighty  years, 
whose  youngest  brother,  of  about  sixty  years,  was  insane. 
His  sisters  said  about  twenty  years  ago  he  "  lost  his  mind." 
His  wife  and  children  were  all  sold  from  him  down  the 
river,  and  he  grieved  so  long  over  it,  he  lost  his  mind,  and 
never  came  right  since.  As  I  entered,  I  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  inquired  for  the  aged  women  in  that  house;  he 
pointed  to  the  stairway.  As  I  was  going  up  the  stairs,  he 
danced  to  and  fro,  slapping  his  hands,  "  Glory,  hallelujah 
to  the  Lamb !"  I  paused  to  look  at  him.  His  sisters  met 
me  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  said,  "  Do  n't  mind  him, 
he  has  no  mind,  and  is  rejoiciu'  to  see  a  white  woman  come 
up  these  stairs,  for  it 's  a  new  thing.  I  reckon  there  hain't 
been  a  white  woman  up  here  more'n  twenty  year,  an'  he 
do  n't  know  how  to  tell  his  gladness."  They  said  he  was 
good  to  bring  them  wood  and  water,  and  take  care  of  him- 
self in  washing  and  patching  his  own  clothes.  I  presented 


412  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFK-WORK. 

him  a  suit,  and  when  he  found  they  would  fit  him,  the 
dancing  and  singing  were  resumed.  I  should  judge  from 
the  history  his  sisters  gave  of  him,  and  from  his  high  fore- 
head, that  he  had  been  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  talent. 
These  sisters,  too,  had  been  made  widows  and  childless  by 
slavery's  cruel  hand.  This  I  found  to  be  the  hard  lot  of 
all  these  old  people.  They  told  me  of  many  cruel  over- 
seers, that  would  take  the  life  of  a  slave,  to  get  their  names 
up  as  "  boss  overseers."  I  told  them  I  had  heard  of  in- 
stances where  an  overseer  was  missing  occasionally.  One 
old  man  dropped  his  head,  then  looking  up  said,  in  a  hes- 
itating manner,  "  I's  kiiowed  that  in  my  time,  but  massar 
keep  it  mighty  still,  an'  say  de  overseer  ruimed  away,  an' 
he  git  one  right  soon  agin."  I  talked  and  read,  and  offered 
prayer  with  these  stripped  and  lonely  ones. 

During  my  three  weeks'  stay  in  Williamsburg,  Fort 
Magruder,  and  vicinity,  I  had  a  number  of  meetings  with 
these  newly  freed  slaves,  three  of  them  in  those  old  slave- 
pens  in  which  were  large  schools  taught. 

I  took  a  stroll  through  the  old  grave-yard  which  sur- 
rounded the  old  ivy-covered  church.  The  marble  slabs 
were  mostly  in  a  horizontal  position,  with  quaint  inscrip- 
tions. In  these  J,  or  I,  was  often  found  in  place  of  the 
figure  1.  The  spelling,  too,  we  should  call  badly  warped. 
I  copied  a  few  of  the  epitaphs,  as  follows: 

Here  lyes  the  Body  of  Mr.  John  Collett,  who  departed  this 
life  February  24th,  J794,  aged  52  years. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  lames  Nicholson,  late  ftuard  of 
William  and  Mary  College.  Was  born  in  the  Town  of  Invenck, 
North  Britton,  ano  1711;  died  the  22nd  of  January,  1773.  Fru- 
gality— industry,  and  simplicity  of  manners  and  independence  of 
Soul  Adorned  his  character  and  procured  universal  esteem. 

READER, 

Learn  from  this  example  as  the  moft  exalted  Station  may  be  de- 
bafed  by  vice,  fo  there  is  no  fituation  in  life  on  which  virtue  will 
not  confer  DIGNITY. 


MKKTING    AT    BARRACKS.  413 

Mrs.  Catharine  Stephenson  died  April  22;  born  in  Nottingham- 
shire, J778. 

Her  body  now  slumbers  along  with  the  dead; 
Her  Savior  hath  called,  to  him  she  has  gone ; 
Be  ye  also  ready  to  follow  her  soon. 

Under  this  marble  lieth  the  body  of  Thomas  Ludwell,  Esq., 
Secretary  of  Virginia,  who  was  born  at  Britton  in  of  Summerset  in 
the  kingdom  of  England,  and  departed  this  life  in  the  year  ]6j8; 
and  near  this  place  lye  the  bodies  of  Richard  Kerdp,  Esq.,  his 
predecefsor  in  ye  Secretary's  office  and  Sr. 

Thomas  Lunsford,  Kt.,  in  memory  of  whom  this  marble  is 
placed  by  order  of  Philip  Ludwell,  Esq.,  nephieu  of  the  faid 
Thomas  Ludwell,  in  the  year  3727. 

As  Yorktown  was  ail  important  post,  after  three  weeks' 
work  in  this  section,  I  repaired  to  that  ancient  place. 
There  I  found  two  large  camps.  A  few  large  freedmen's 
schools  were  established  under  the  auspices  of  Philadelphia 
Friends,  and  of  these  Jacob  Vining  had  supervision.  Two 
others  were  under  the  supervision  of  the  American  Mis- 
sionary Association.  Both  were  doing  a  noble  work  for 
these  people,  who  were  like  hungry  children,  grasping  at 
the  food  handed  them  by  these  Christian  teachers. 

We  had  a  very  large  meeting  in  the  old  barracks  fitted 
up  for  school  and  meetings.  There  were  more  than  could 
get  inside,  and  groups  stood  at  the  door  and  outside  the 
windows.  Here  I  met  two  young  men  who  had  walked 
all  the  way  from  beyond  Fort  Magrttder,  eighteen  miles,  to 
attend  this  meeting.  They  were  more  intelligent  than  the 
larger  portion  of  life-long  slaves.  They  were  encouraged 
in  the  future  prospect  of  freedom.  They  said  the  white 
people  declared  they  would  soon  have  all  their  slaves  back 
again,  the  same  as  the/  had  before  the  war.  Said  one, 
"  They  talk  it  so  strong  it  makes  us  trimble.  For  we-uns 
think  they'd  be  harder  on  us  than  ever."  I  told  them  to 
look  at  that  strong  fort  built  by  Confederates,  which  they 
had  said  "all  the  Yankees  of  the  North  could  never 


414  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

take."  "And  where  is  it  now?"  I  said.  "  You  may  rest 
assured  it  will  be  as  I  repeated  to-day,  '  Except  the  Lord 
keep  the  city  the  watchman  walketh  but  in  vain ;  except 
the  Lord  build  the  house  they  labor  in  vain  who  build  it.' 
The  Lord  will  never  permit  the  house  of  bondage  to  be  re- 
built, for  the  cup  of  our  nation's  wickedness  has  been  filled 
to  the  brim.  They  will  never  again  barter  for  paltry  gold 
the  bodies  and  souls  of  those  whom  Christ  died  to  redeem 
with  his  own  precious  blood.  No,  never."  They  wept, 
while  talking  over  the  past,  with  new  hopes  before  them  of 
their  future.  They  said  they  were  well  paid  for  their  long 
walk,  though  they  should  work  the  next  day  with  blistered 
feet.  They  were  working  for  their  old  owner,  as  he  had 
promised  to  pay  them.  They  had  sometimes  felt  fearful  as 
to  the  final  result  of  this  war.  If  there  were  doubts,  they 
would  go  as  far  North  as  they  could  while  they  were  enjoy- 
ing their  present  liberty. 

A  number  lingered  to  talk  with  me  on  the  prospect  of 
freedom  or  slavery  for  them,  telling  me  of  the  positive 
expressions  of  their  former  masters,  and  of  their  threats 
of  having  them  all  back  again  within  a  few  months.  They 
wanted  to  know  what  the  prospect  was  in  Washington. 

"  Do  you  think  we  are  sure  to  come  out  of  the  wilder- 
ness?" said  one. 

"  Will  this  sun  of  freedom,  now  peepirt'  troo  de  black 
cloud,  come  cl'ar  out,  an'  make  a  bright  day?"  said  an- 
other. 

I  found  many  of  these  people  in  trouble,  because  they 
saw  plainly  the  old  slave  spirit  reviving,  and  they  were 
trembling  with  fear;  but  others  had  stronger  faith.  There 
was  one  poor  woman,  whose  husband  and  four  children 
were  sold  to  a  trader,  to  be  taRen  down  the  river  in  a 
gang.  When  the  news  came  to  her  master's  home  that 
Richmond  had  fallen,  she  said : 

"Missus  an'  all  was  cryin',  and  say  da  catch  Jeff. 
Davis.  An'  I  hurried  de  supper  on  de  table;  an'  I  say, 


AUNT   SALT.Y.  415 

Missus,  can  Dilla  wait  on  table  till  I  go  to  de  bush-spriug 
an'  git  a  bucket  o'  cool  water?'  She  say,  '  Hurry,  Mill ;' 
an'  I  seed  'em  all  down  to  table  afore  I  starts.  Den  I 
walks  slow  till  I  git  out  o'  sight,  when  I  runu'd  wid  all 
my  might  till  I  git  to  de' spring,  an'  look  all  'round,  an'  I 
jump  up  an'  scream,  'Glory,  glory,  hallelujah  to  Jesus! 
I 's  free!  I 's  free!  Glory  to  God,  you  come  down  an'  free 
us;  no  big  man  could  do  it.'  An'  I  got  sort  o' scared, 
afeared  somebody  hear  me,  an'  I  takes  another  good  look, 
an'  fall  on  de  groun',  an'  roll  over,  an'  kiss  de  groun'  fo'  de 
Lord's  sake,  I 's  so  full  o'  praise  to  Massar  Jesus.  He  do 
all  dis  great  work.  De  soul  buyers  can  neber  take  my 
two  chillen  lef '  me ;  no,  neber  can  take  'em  from  me  no 
mo' ;"  and  the  tears  fell  thick  and  fast  as  she  told  me  how 
she  clung  to  her  husband,  then  to  her  children,  as  the 
trader  took  them  to  the  slave-pen  to  lock  up  till  they  were 
ready  to  start  for  the  river.  Her  mistress  ordered  her  to 
be  whipped  because  she  cried  so  long  for  her  husband  and 
children.  I  did  not  wonder  at  her  ecstasy. 

A  poor  old  slave,  called  Aunt  Sally,  came  to  me  April 
15th,  crippled  with  rheumatism,  and  walking  as  well  as 
she  could  with  two  canes.  She  asked  for  a  blanket  or 
quilt,  saying  that  one  old  blanket  had  been  her  only  bed 
for  seven  years.  I  told  her  I  should  pass  her  home  the 
the  next  day,  and  would  bring  her  some  things.  She  said, 
"  I  raus'  hurry  back,  or  missus  will  fin'  me  out.  You  gib 
'em  to  the  man  choppin'  wood  in  de  yard ;  he  '11  put  'em 
in  de  cellar  for  me.  Missus  is  mighty  hard  on  you  alls;" 
and  she  hobbled  back  as  fast  as  she  could  with  two  canes. 
But  her  mistress  found  out  that  she  had  been  to  see  me, 
and  told  her  she  should  never  set  her  foot  inside  her  yard 
again,  neither  should  a  Yankee.  The  day  following  I  took 
a  package  for  Aunt  Sally,  containing  a  straw  bed-tick, 
quilt,  blanket,  and  a  good  suit  of  clothes;  for  I  had  learned 
that  Mrs.  Pendleton,  the  daughter  of  ex-President  Taylor, 
was  a  hard  mistress.  Aunt  Sally  had  served  her  father, 


416  A  WOMAN'S  J.IFK-AVORK. 

and  helped  bring  up  his  children,  and  was  now  seventy- 
five  or  eighty  years  old.  From  the  cold,  damp  cellar,  with 
only  one  blanket  to  cover  her,  she  had  become  badly  crip- 
pled, and  was  left  to  die,  like  an  old  worn-out  horse. 

The  colored  man  near  the  fence  of  the  back  yard  told 
me  I  would  find  Aunt  Bally  in  a  little  cabin  he  pointed 
out,  with  two  old  colored  people.  I  found  her  crying.  She 
said  her  mistress  had  turned  her  out,  and  told  her  she 
should  never  come  inside  her  yard,  nor  eat  a  kernel  of  the 
corn  that  she  had  planted  in  ground  all  spaded  by  her- 
self, and  it  was  growing  so  nice.  The  old  people  very 
kindly  offered  to  share  with  her.  He  was  a  cobbler,  and 
made  all  he  could ;  but  he  said  they  had  but  one  bed.  I 
furnished  one  for  her,  and  gave  the  old  people  a  quilt  and 
a  few  needed  garments  for  their  kindness  to  Aunt  Sally. 
They,  too,  had  been  stripped  of  all  their  large  family,  as 
well  as  Aunt  Sally  of  hers. 

As  I  passed  Mrs.  Pendleton's  front  yard  I  saw  a  large 
bloodhound  on  the  door-step  as  sentinel.  Even  a  look  at 
him  from  the  street  brought  a  threatening  growl. 

Here,  too,  were  William  and  Phillis  Davis,  over  eighty 
years  of  age,  they  think.  They  had  fourteen  children, 
"all  sold  down  the  river,"  they  said,  "except  those  we's 
got  in  heaven.  AVe  's  glad  they 's  safe,  an'  we  trus'  de 
jubilee  trumpet  will  reach  their  ears,  way  down  Souf,  we 
do  n't  know  whar.  AVe 's  cried  for  freedom  many  years, 
/,n'  it  come  at  last,"  said  the  old,  tottering  man. 

Eva  Mercer,  over  seventy-five  years  of  age,  had  a  large 
family.  Her  husband  and  all  her  children  were  sold 
twenty  years  ago.  She  had  been  left  to  perish  alone,  and 
had  had  no  underclothes  for  seven  years.  She  was  sup- 
plied, and  made  more  comfortable  than  she  had  been 
for  years. 

David  Gary,  one  hundred  years  old,  in  great  suffering, 
was  relieved.  He,  too,  had  a  large  family.  Throe  wives 
were  sold  from  him,  and  his  children,  one,  two,  and  three 


BAPTIST    MEETING.  417 

at  a  time,  were  sent  down  the  river,  never  to  be  heard 
from  again.  He  said  he  forgot  a  great  many  things  every 
day,  "  but  I  can  never  forget  the  grief  I  passed  through 
in  parting  with  my  good  wives  and  chillens." 

Pross  Tabb,  ninety  years  old,  was  turned  out  of  his 
cabin,  and  came  to  the  captain  crying.  He  said,  "Massar 
Tabb  turn  me  out  to  die  by  de  roadside.  I  begged  him  to 
let  me  build  me  a  cabin  in  de  woods,  and  he  say  if  I  cut 
a  stick  in  his  woods  he  '11  shoot  me."  The  captain  in- 
formed J.  P.  Tabb  that  he  would  violate  the  martial  law, 
and  be  fined  and  imprisoned,  if  he  turned  that  old  man 
out  of  his  cabin,  where  he  had  lived  and  served  him  many 
years.  The  poor  lone  man  was  permitted  to  remain.  J. 
P.  Tabb  owned  twelve  thousand  acres  of  land,  and  had 
called  himself  master  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  slaves; 
now  all  had  left  him. 

Sunday,  May  3d,  was  a  beautiful  Sabbath.  In  the 
morning  I  attended  service  at  the  school-house,  conducted 
by  a  Baptist  minister,  who  examined  nine  new  converts. 
Among  them  was  a  little  girl,  Susan  Monroe,  eight  years 
old.  The  preacher  asked  her,  "What  have  you  got  to  say 
'bout  Jesus,  sis  ?" 

"  He  tuck  de  han'  cuffs  off  my  han's,"  she  replied,  "  an* 
de  spancels  off  my  feet,  an'  Jesus  made  me  free." 

With  a  few  other  satisfactory  answers  he  passed  to  the 
next,  a  man  of  forty,  perhaps:  "And  what  have  you  to 
tell  us?" 

"It  'peared,"  he  said,  "like  Fs  so  heavy  here,  on  my 
heart.  I  could  do  nuffin  but  groan,  '  Massar  Jesus  have 
pity  on  poor  me;'  an'  as  I  was  a  walkiu'  'long  de  road,  he 
cum  sure,  an'  poured  hisself  all  over  me,  an'  cover  over 
my  ban's  an'  my  feet,  an'  made  me  all  over  new.  I  say  is 
dis  me?  Glory,  hallalujah!  dis  is  me.  I  went  on  an'  met 
sis  Molly.  'What's  de  matter  o'  me?  its  all  full  tide  here,' 
I  says.  '  Why  honey,'  she  answered,  '  you's  got  'ligiou  ; 
praise  de  Lord !  Now  keep  de  pure  stuff,  do  n't  trade  it  off 


418  A  WOMAN'S  LJFE-WORK. 

for  de  devil.'  An'  by  de  help  o'  de  Lord,  I  do  n't  do  any 
sich  tradin'." 

The  next  was  queried.  "Ah,  I's  played  de  fool,"  he 
said,  "in  jist  dat  kind  o'  tradin'.  I's  an  ole  backslider. 
Ole  Satan  had  me,  sure,  an'  I  cried,  '  Massar  Jesus,  save 
me  from  dat  horrible  pit,'  an'  he  fotch  me  out,  an'  put 
dese  feet  on  de  rock,  and  here  I  means  to  stan'." 

Others  were  examined,  and  a  season  of  prayer  fol- 
lowed. Their  prayers  were  marked  for  their  originality 
and  earnestness.  Said  one  woman,  "Oh  Lord,  do  please 
hitch  up  your  cheer  a  little  nearer  your  winder — draw  aside 
your  curtain,  an'  look  down  'pon  us  poor  creturs,  an'  gib 
your  table-cloth  a  good  shake,  dat  we  may  pick  up  a  few 
crumbs." 

There  were  many  of  these  much  more  intelligent  than 
I  supposed  I  should  find  them,  and  used  as  good  language 
as  the  white  people.  House-servants  and  body-servants 
were  more  intelligent  than  those  who  lived  only  in  the  field. 
They  were  very  imaginative,  and  talked  with  God.  One 
woman  in  giving  a  sketch  of  slave  life,  said  a  young  girl 
went  to  a  night  meeting  contrary  to  orders,  and  for  so 
doing  was  stripped  naked  and  whipped  in  the  presence  of 
the  other  slaves,  the  master  himself  plying  the  lash.  While 
she  cried  for  mercy  her  master  replied,  "I'll  give  you 
mercy."  "  Good  Lord  do  come  and  help  me."  "  Yes,  I  '11 
help  you"  (and  kept  plying  the  lash).  "  Do,  Lord,  come 
now;  if  you  ha' n't  time  send  Jesus."  "Yes,  I'm  your 
Jesus,"  retorted  the  inhuman  persecutor,  and  he  continued 
to  ply  the  lash  until  thirty  strokes  were  well  laid  on. 

The  colonel  commanding  this  post  called  on  me  with  a 
request  to  go  to  Gloucester  Court-house,  to  look  after  the 
condition  of  the  freedmen  there.  There  were  several  very 
old,  crippled  people  in  Gloucester,  in  almost  a  nude  condi- 
tion. I  agreed  to  go,  and  the  colonel  went  to  procure  a 
buggy,  as  his  own  was  broken ;  but  he  failed  to  get  one, 
though  more  than  a  double  price  was  offered,  because  he 


A    BRIGADIER -GENERAL.  419 

was  a  Yankee.  He  returned  discouraged,  as  he  was  un- 
willing to  send  me  in  a  Virginia  cart,  the  only  govern- 
ment conveyance.  I  told  him  I  had  frequently  seen  the 
wealthiest  ladies  sitting  on  straw,  with  no  other  seat  in  the 
cart.  "  O  yes,"  he  answered,  "  the  F.  F.  V.'s  ride  in  that 
way  here.  But  you  look  too  much  like  my  mother  to  see 
you  go  in  that  style.  I  could  not  bear  to  have  your  chil- 
dren in  Michigan  know  that  I  sent  their  mother  out  to  ride 
thirty  miles  in  that  way ;"  and  tears  filled  his  eyes,  as  he 
referred  to  his  own  mother  in  his  far  off  Northern  home. 
I  told  him  if  I  could  accomplish  any  good  by  going,  I  was 
more  than  willing  to  take  the  cart-ride,  as  I  could  make  a 
seat  with  my  bale  of  clothing,  and  thus  I  went. 

I  crossed  York  River  at  Gloucester  Point,  and  stepped 
into  a  store  to  wait  for  our  soldier  driver.  Here  a  South- 
ern brigadier-general  addressed  me  in  the  following  style : 

"I  reckon  you  are  from  the  North,  madam." 

"  I  am  from  the  State  of  Michigan,"  I  said,  "  but  more 
directly  from  Washington." 

"  You  Northern  people  can  not  be  satisfied  with  rob- 
bing us  of  millions  of  dollars  in  slaves,  that  were  just  as 
much  our  property  as  your  horses  and  cattle,  but  you  stole 
our  sheep  and  horses,  or  any  thing  else  you  could  get 
hands  on ;  and  yet  that  was  not  enough.  Now  you  have  a 
bill  in  Congress  to  rob  us  of  our  land,  and  of  course  it  will 
pass.  Then  we  '11  go  to  work  and  mix  up  a  little  cake  to 
bake  for  our  families,  and  you  '11  come  and  snatch  even  that 
away  from  us." 

"  You  probably  refer,"  I  said,  "  to  the  bill  just  intro- 
duced, to  allow  the  leaders  in  this  Rebellion  no  more  than 
twenty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  real  estate,  confiscating 
the  balance,  to  sell  in  parcels  to  the  soldiers  and  poor  peo- 
ple, black  or  white,  on  liberal  terms,  to  liquidate  the  tear 
debt.  This  debt  would  never  have  been  contracted,  had 
not  the  South  brought  on  the  war.  You  fired  upon  Suin- 
ter ;  you  determined  to  sever  the  Union.  It  was  a  bargain 

28 


420  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  your  own  making.  You  determined  to  make  slavery 
the  chief  corner-stone  of  the  Republic,  but  another  stone, 
Liberty,  has  grouud  it  to  powder.  We  had  better  accept 
the  situation  as  we  find  it,  and  not  call  each  other  thieves 
and  robbers  because  your  chief  corner-stone  is  no  more.  God 
never  designed  that  we  should  make  merchandise  of  human 
beings.  In  the  written  Word  we  find  that  God  made  of 
one  blood  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  We  find  there  no 
lines  of  distinction  because  of  color  or  condition.  Now  let 
us  drop  slavery  and  hold  it  no  longer  as  the  bone  of  con- 
tention, and  live  henceforward  a  united  nation." 

With  flushed  face  and  flashing  eyes  he  said,  "Never, 
NEVER  shall  we  give  up  our  rights.  We  acknowledge  you 
have  overpowered  us,  but  you  have  not,  and  never  will, 
conquer  us;  we  shall  yet  in  some  way  secure  our  rights  as 
Southerners,  notwithstanding  all  your  Northern  preaching." 

"If  you  carry  out  your  position,"  I  rejoined,  "you  will 
unite  with  some  foreign  power  to  break  up  our  government, 
or  to  grind  its  republican  form  into  powder  and  scatter  it 
to  the  four*  winds." 

"  Of  course  we  should,  and  you  can't  blame  us  for  doing 
that.  It  is  just  exactly  what  we  shall  do  if  we  have  the 
chance." 

After  a  few  minutes'  unpleasant  talk  of  this  sort  our 
soldier  drove  in  front  of  the  door  for  me.  We  borrowed  a 
little  box,  upon  which  a  coffee  sack  of  clothing  was  laid, 
and  we  thus  made  a  comparatively  comfortable  seat. 

We  reached  Gloucester,  and,  on  May  10th,  went  to  the 
office  of  Captain  McConnell.  He  was  engaged  all  the 
morning  in  hearing  complaints  on  the  part  of  the  freedmeu 
and  in  adjusting  their  wrongs.  Some  of  them  were  pitiable 
cases  of  outrage,  but  we  can  not  report  them  here.  There 
were  eight  difficulties  settled  within  the  few  hours  that  I 
remained  in  the  office.  I  resumed  visiting  and  supplying 
the  wants  of  the  destitute  as  far  as  my  means  would  allow. 
There  were  some  old  and  crippled  people  here  in  the  same 


YOUKTOWX.  421 

condition  as  those  whom  I  had  relieved  in  other  places  in 
this  part  of  the  State.  As  usual,  I  took  with  me  my 
Bible,  for  these  colored  people  had  none,  because  they  had 
never  IKMMI  permitted  to  learn  to  read.  Many  of  them 
gave  thrilling  sketches  of  their  experiences  in  slave-life. 

On  May  13th,  at  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  1  found  myself 
back  at  Old  Yorktowu.  Here  I  visited  the  cave  in  which 
General  Cornwallis  was  found.  The  old  wood  house  in 
which  the  treaty  was  signed  is  covered  with  thick  moss. 
A  two-story  brick  building  was  Washington's  head-quarters 
after  he  took  possession  of  Yorktown.  It  was  also  the 
head-quarters  of  the  Union  generals  after  it  fell  into  their 
hands.  Here  was  the  stamping-ground  of  two  great  armies. 
The  contention  was  not  now  with  British  red-coats,  as  in 
the  Revolution,  but  with  our  brethren  in  gray.  Richard 
Lee,  an  ex-slave-holder,  undertook  to  whip  a  colored  man 
with  the  help  of  his  overseer,  after  the  old  style,  but  in 
the  struggle  he  found  himself  cut  in  two  or  three  places, 
and  the  blood  was  flowing  pretty  freely  from  the  overseer. 
The  colored  man  told  them  whipping  days  were  past,  and 
he  came  out  of  the  affray  with  but  few  scratches.  His 
offense  was  refusing  to  work  on  Sunday  afternoon.  They 
entered  no  complaint  at  the  office  of  the  Freedmeu's 
Bureau,  and  the  colored  man  went  about  his  business 
unmolested. 

After  taking  leave  of  many  dear  friends  at  this  place, 
through  the  kindness  of  sister  Ailsgood,  the  matron  of  the 
Teachers'  Home,  I  wras  conveyed  to  the  boat  in  Lieutenant 
Massy's  carriage.  We  enjoyed  a  beautiful  run  on  the 
Chesapeake.  Among  our  passengers  for  Norfolk  was  a 
young  lady  who  seemed  bright  and  gay,  but  had  nearly 
spoiled  herself  with  affectation.  She  was  going  to  visit  her 
aunt  previous  to  entering  upon  her  new  duties  in  teaching 
a  school. 

"I  never  did  do  any  thing  of  the  kind,"  she  told  me; 
"but  pa  says  I  must,  now  that  we  have  lost  all  our  serv- 


422  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

ants  by  this  awful  Avar.  But  I  don't  know  how  I'll  do. 
Do  you  think  I  can  teach  a  small  school?" 

Receiving  a  word  of  encouragement,  she  went  on: 

"I  reckon  I'll  have  to  try.  We've  always  had  a  lady 
preceptress  at  our  house,  besides  the  nurse,  to  take  care 
of  us." 

A  few  minutes  after  I  saw  her  weeping  bitterly,  as  if 
her  heart  was  nearly  broken.  Placing  my  hand  upon  her 
shoulder  I  inquired  if  she  had  heard  bad  news  that  was 
grieving  her?  She  sobbed  and  sighed  with  quite  an  effort 
in  commanding  her  feelings  to  speak. 

"No ;  do  you  see  that  man  yonder  with  a  light  hat  on?" 

"Yes." 

"Well,  he  winked  at  me,  and  I  was  never  so  insulted 
in  my  life." 

And  she  burst  again  into  tears. 

"Don't  grieve  over  that,"  I  said;  "I  wouldn't  look 
at  him." 

"But  I  never  was  so  insulted.  I'm  so  glad  my  brother 
ain't  here;  I  tell  you  there 'd  be  trouble." 

"Never  mind;  don't  notice  him." 

"Won't  you  stand  by  me?" 

"Yes;  I'll  stand  here,"  I  answered.  And  she  soon 
became  calm,  when  I  thought  it  safe  to  leave.  But  a  few 
moments  later  I  saw  her  weeping  as  hard  as  ever.  I  Avent 
across  the  cabin  to  her  relief  the  third  time  and  inquired, 
"What  is  the  trouble  now?" 

"He  winked  at  me  again,  and  I  never,  never  was  so 
insulted.  I  know  if  my  brother  was  here  he'd  shoot  him, 
for  he'd  never  stand  this." 

I  stood  by  her  this  time  till  I  saw  her  in  the  ladies' 
dressing-room,  by  her  request  remaining  between  her  and 
the  object  of  her  fears,  who  was  at  least  fifteen  feet  from 
us,  sitting  in  the  farthest  end  of  the  cabin.  After  she  had 
washed  and  combed  her  hair  she  asked,  "  How  does  my 
hair  look?  1  never  combed  my  hair  myself.  Our  nurse 


A    SOUTH  KRN"    GIRT,.  423 

did  that  always,  until  six  months  ago  our  last  servant  left 
us.  I  don't  know  if  it  looks  well  anyhow,  for  I  don't 
know  how  to  dress  it.  And  do  my  eyes  look  as  if  I'd 
been  crying?" 

"Not  to  be  noticed,"  I  said.     "You  look  all  right." 
""Will  you  see  if  that  fellow  has  gone  out?" 
On  the  report  that  he  had  left  she  returned.    I  inquired 
if  she  was  alone. 

"O,  no,  not  entirely;  pa  put  me  under  the  care  of  a 
splendid  man;  I  reckon  he's  on  deck;  O,  he's  such  a  beau- 
tiful gentleman;  he  was  pa's  overseer  a  good  many  years; 
pa  thought  he  couldn't  carry  on  our  plantation  without 
him ;  when  I  see  him  I  '11  be  all  right.     I  reckon  you  've 
heard  of  my  pa.    Every  body  knows  him — Mr.  Hampton — 
in  Gloucester  County,  one  of  the  most  splendid  counties  in 
the  State.     Were  you  ever  in  Gloucester  County?" 
"  I  was  there  last  week,"  I  answered. 
"  Is  n't  it  the  most  beautiful  county  you  ever  saw?" 
I  replied,  "  Nature  has  done  enough  to  make  it  so." 
"  It  was  a  grand   county  before   the  war,"  she  said. 
"  Every  body  thinks  it's  the  best  county  in  the  State  of 
Virginia." 

But  my  opinion  widely  differed  from  hers.  It  seemed 
to  me  one  of  the  darkest  and  most  God-forsaken  corners 
of  the  earth.  But  the  influence  of  slavery  had  its  delete- 
rious effects  upon  whites  as  well  as  blacks. 

Laura  Hampton  knew  nothing  of  self-reliance.  All  she 
knew  was  to  be  a  consequential  young  lady  of  distinction, 
full  of  exalted  qualifying  adjectives  in  the  superlative  de- 
gree. But  she  was  not  so  much  to  blame  as  her  parents 
for  her  simpering  and  tossing  the  head  with  overstocked 
affectation.  She  was  to  be  pitied  for  her  unfortunate  sur- 
roundings. Her  "splendid  man,"  a  "beautiful  gentle- 
man," was  a  coarse,  burly  headed  "  Legree"  in  appearance. 
I  arrived  at  Norfolk  at  four  o'clock  P.  M. ,  and  found 
a  pleasant  home  at  the  Tyler  House.  Here  I  met  eighteen 


424  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

teachers,  with  whom  1  eujoyed  a  refreshing  prayer-meeting, 
led  by  S.  J.  Whiting,  a  missionary,  who  gave  an  interesting 
sketch  of  his  experience  in  the  Meudi  Mission  in  Africa. 
I  gave  an  account  of  the  work  accomplished  through  the 
blessing  of  God  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  while  I  was  ac- 
companied by  my  dear  sister  Backus,  and  spoke  of  trials 
I  had  recently  passed  through.  Here  were  kindred  spir- 
its, with  whom  we  held  sweet  communion,  and  with  our 
Heavenly  Father,  who  is  ever  near  at  hand. 

While  in  this  part  of  the  State,  I  saw  a  white  woman 
who  had  been  cruelly  assaulted  and  beaten  with  a  raw-hide 
by  her  sister  and  niece  for  associating  with  the  teachers 
of  our  freedmeu's  schools.  They  thought  she  had  dis- 
graced the  family;  but  she  said  she  would  not  turn  away 
from  those  Christian  ladies,  however  her  own  kindred 
might  treat  her.  O  the  wrongs  and  outrages  which  the 
spirit  of  slavery  inflicted  not  only  on  the  blacks,  but  also 
on  the  white  people  of  the  South! 


FREEDMEN'S  SCHOOLS.  425 


CHAPTER  XV. 

EXPERIENCES  AMONG  FREEDMEN. 

I  WAS  told  by  General  Armstrong,  commander  of  the 
post  iii  Elizabeth  City,  that  twenty-five  thousand  inhab- 
itants had  been  supplied  with  food,  and  that  more  whites 
than  blacks  had  called  for  rations.  There  were  six  thou- 
sand freedmeu  in  this  district.  Twenty -six  hundred  of 
their  children  were  in  schools ;  and  thirteen  hundred  were 
half  or  entire  orphans,  that  drew  rations.  They  had  had 
no  civil  court  here  since  March  20th,  and  no  justice  was 
shown  to  freed  men.  There  was  as  much  complaint  here 
as  elsewhere  about  their  unwillingness  to  work ;  but  the 
general  said  it  was  only  because  they  got  no  pay.  A  few 
plantations  were  rented  here  by  Northerners;  but  they 
made  no  complaint  for  want  of  hands,  and  had  more  ap- 
plications for  work  than  they  could  furnish. 

General  Armstrong  secured  a  carriage,  May  18th,  to 
take  his  wife  and  myself  to  the  Downey  School,  a  few 
miles  distant,  to  see  what  a  noble  work  the  two  Stewart 
sisters  were  there  doing.  He  took  us  to  a  large  farm  of 
eight  hundred  and  six  acres,  rented  by  a  Northern  man 
by  the  name  of  Jackson,  who  said  he  had  worked  it  three 
years,  and  had  taken  it  for  two  years  longer.  He  had  no 
difficulty  in  keeping  good  help.  "All  these  people  want 
is  fair  and  kind  treatment"  he  said,  "  to  make  good  and 
faithful  hands  the  year  around.  I  can  not  employ  all  who 
come  for  work.  I  have  seen  them  leave  weeping  over 
their  disappointment." 

Near  this  place  was  the  school  conducted  by  the  two 
sisters,  Emily  and  Jennie  Stewart,  of  South  Hill,  Steuben 


426  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

County,  New  York.  They  had  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  scholars,  and  were  doing  a  grand  work  among  the 
white  people  in  that  community.  Two  young  men  were 
converted  through  their  instrumentality,  and  were  exerting 
a  powerful  influence  over  the  white  people.  They  were 
attending  the  school,  to  which  a  number  of  white  families 
sent  their  children.  It  widely  differs  from  all  others  I 
have  visited  in  the  South.  These  earnest  Christian  girls 
were  emphatically  teaching  a  school  of  Christ  on  week-days 
as  well  as  on  the  Sabbath.  The  two  young  men  referred 
to  had  the  ministry  in  view,  and  were  very  earnest  in  their 
exhortations.  I  addressed  the  school,  and  conversed  with 
those  young  white  men,  who  seemed  in  a  very  tender  frame 
of  mind.  These  dear  sisters  urged  me  to  spend  a  week 
with  them ;  and  General  Armstrong  kindly  offered  to  send 
his  conveyance  for  me  at  the  close  of  the  week,  or  when- 
ever I  might  fix  the  time.  But  as  my  supplies  were  out, 
I  wished  to  hasten  back  to  Washington. 

During  the  day's  ride  we  passed  the  place  of  a  large 
Sabbath-school,  which  was  first  opened  by  a  soldier,  W. 
Badger,  Jun.,  a  faithful  laborer  in  this  work.  It  had 
flourished  ever  since. 

We  visited  a  number  of  plantations  with  which  the 
general  was  unacquainted.  He  hailed  a  passer-by  to  in- 
quire the  distance  to  the  Old  Brick  Church.  "O,  you're 
smash  up  to  it,"  he  said.  I  looked  up  to  see  it,  when  he 
continued,  "T  ain't  but  two  miles  ahead."  The  general 
thought  it  was  three  miles,  at  least,  before  we  reached  the 
old  colonial  church,  built  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years 
ago,  out  of  brick  brought  from  England. 

We  passed  through  a  forest  of  young  pines  that  had 
been  rented  three  years  to  colored  people  in  five  and  ten 
acre  lots.  They  were  to  receive  one-fourth  of  all  they 
raised,  and  pay  the  remainder  as  rent.  Said  the  general, 
as  we  came  opposite  a  ten-acre  lot  where  a  man,  his  wife, 
and  daughter  were  all  hard  at  work  grubbing,  "That  man 


SLAVE  MARKET  IN  A  CHURCH.  427 

will  hardly  get  a  meager  subsistence  from  oHe-fourth  of 
that  land."  And  he  inquired  of  the  man  if  he  expected 
to  get  his  living  off  the  fourth  of  that  lot. 

"I  reckon  so,"  was  the  answer.  "After  we  gets  the 
crop  in  my  wife  and  gal  can  tend  it,  and  I  '11  get  work  by 
the  day  while  its  growin'." 

Sunday,  May  20th,  was  a  pleasant  Sabbath.  I  attended 
a  large  meeting,  and  listened  to  a  very  interesting  discourse 
by  a  freedman.  At  the  close  he  earnestly  exhorted  his 
hearers  to  purity  of  life  in  their  new  freedom.  He  wanted 
to  see  all  filthy  habits  left  behind  with  bondage.  "  Do  not 
let  us  take  with  us,"  he  said,  "any  habit  of  drinking — not 
even  using  tobacco.  Let  us  search  ourselves,  and  see  if 
we  are  worshiping  God  with  clean  hearts  and  mouths." 

Opportunity  being  offered,  I  made  a  few  remarks  from 
II  Chronicles,  xv:  12,  "And  they  entered  into  covenant 
to  seek  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers  with  all  their  heart 
and  with  all  their  soul."  After  meeting,  minister  and  peo- 
ple gathered  around  me  to  shake  my  hands,  until  they 
were  lame  a  number  of  days.  Said  one,  "  Da's  took  de 
bridle  off  our  heads,  an'  let  us  loose  to  serve  God."  Near 
the  place  was  the  Zion  Methodist  Church,  that  had  been 
used  occasionally  for  auction  sales  of  slaves.  There  were 
thirty  acres  here,  purchased  by  colored  people,  laid  out  in 
two-acre  lots.  Most  of  them  had  built  little  cabins,  but 
others  were  working  out  by  the  day  to  earn  means  to  pay 
for  their  lots  before  they  built. 

In  the  evening  I  visited  a  school  of  twenty-five  adults, 
who  could  not  attend  during  the  day.  A  number  of  them 
read  for  me  very  intelligibly.  James  Wright  did  not  know 
his  letters  at  Christmas,  but  could  now  read  fluently.  He 
was  sixty  years  of  age.  Robert  Bell,  aged  fifty,  who  did 
not  know  his  letters  in  March,  could  now  read  in  the  sec- 
ond reader. 

Captain  Flagg  and  wife  invited  me  to  take  another  ride 
out  in  the  country  where  colored  people  had  rented  land. 


428  A  WOMAN'S  LJFE-WORK. 

On  our  way  we  met  five  carts  laden  with  F.  F.  V.'s.  The 
captain  inquired  of  one  man  how  far  it  was  to  Providence 
Church.  "Sir,"  he  answered,  "  you  are  slap-jam  on  to  it; 
only  a  mile  and  a  half,  sure."  As  usual  we  went  twice  the 
distance ;  the  captain  said  he  always  calculated  a  Virginia 
mile  to  be  double  the  length  of  ours.  This  church  had  been 
built  one  hundred  years  before  with  brick  brought  from 
England.  We  called  on  six  families.  Said  one  woman, 
"I  tried  hard  to  serve  God  forty  years  ago,  but  mighty 
idle;  Massa's  lash  so  sharp,  'peared  like  we  poor  creturs 
never  rest  till  we  drop  in  our  graves." 

We  visited  Ex-Governor  Henry  A.  Wise's  plantation  of 
five  hundred  acres,  with  fifty  cabins  in  the  negro  quarters. 
This  was  confiscated.  There  were  many  of  his  former  slaves 
here,  aged  and  helpless,  and  a  successful  school  was  taught 
in  his  dwelling-house.  Here  were  seventeen  schools  under 
the  charge  of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  which 
were  taught  by  eleven  lady  teachers  and  six  gentlemen. 
H.  C.  Perry  was  the  superintendent  of  schools  in  Norfolk 
District. 

The  Taylor  plantation  was  the  next  which  we  visited. 
It  contained  seventeen  thousand  acres,  seven  hundred  acres 
of  which  were  worked,  and  ready  for  renting  to  freedmen. 
In  Captain  Flagg's  district  there  were  three  thousand  four 
hundred  and  eighty-six  freed  children  attending  day-school, 
and  five  hundred  and  one  scholars  in  the  night-schools. 
One  hundred  and  ninety-two  of  these  were  over  sixteen 
years  of  age.  The  above  included  seven  counties:  Nor- 
folk, Princess  Ann,  Nansemond,  Isle  of  Wight,  Southamp- 
ton, Accomack,  and  Northampton,  the  last  two  on  the  east- 
ern shore  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  It  is  well  to  note  the  income 
of  these  confiscated  plantations,  that  had,  up  to  May  25, 
1866,  l>een  returned  to  original  owners.  There  had  been 
paid  over  by  Captain  Flagg  to  government  toward  liqui- 
dating the  war  debt,  thirteen  thousand  dollars.  All  of 
this  was  the  avails  of  negro  help  on  the  government  farms, 


PREPARING    TO  GO    HOME.  429 

except  the  Wise  and  Taylor  plantations,  that  were  still 
occupied  for  the  benefit  of  the  aged,  sick,  blind,  and  crip- 
pled men,  women,  and  orphans. 

I  returned  to  Washington,  where  I  found  a  request 
that  I  should  take  fifteen  colored  orphans  to  our  Home  in 
Michigan. 

The  commissioners  having  charge  of  money  sent  here 
by  all  the  Free  States,  for  sanitary  purposes,  proposed  to 
place  five  hundred  dollars  in  my  hands  for  the  two  or- 
phan asylums  in  Michigan,  out  of  the  nine  hundred  dol- 
lars that  came  from  our  State.  This  was  to  be  equally 
divided  between  Detroit  Orphan  Asylum  and  the  one  in 
Raisin  Institute,  known  at  that  time  as  Haviland  Home. 
A  majority  of  the  commissioners  objected  to  its  being 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  woman,  to  select  goods  to  be 
purchased  at  auction  rates.  Consequently,  a  young  man 
was  sent  with  me  to  see  that  wise  selections  were  made  for 
the  little  homeless  waifs  for  whom  the  relief  was  designed. 
Being  somewhat  acquainted  with  my  work,  he  said  he  was 
ashamed  of  the  vote  of  the  board,  in  distrusting  my  abil- 
ity to  select  goods  for  the  little  children  of  the  asylums, 
when  I  had  been  at  this  work  all  my  life,  and  constantly 
during  three  years  past.  But  I  told  him  I  was  thankful 
to  get  the  five  hundred  dollars,  and  could  waive  their  no- 
tions of  woman's  inability  very  comfortably.  He  assented 
to  all  the  selections  I  made,  and  I  arranged  to  return 
home  with  the  fifteen  orphans  and  forty  laborers,  who  wished 
to  go  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  their  friends  had  gone  for 
work  and  reported  to  them  favorably. 

I  found  in  these  people  a  strong  attachment  to  their 
own  color ;  hence  the  unwillingness  for  a  few  to  go  a  great 
distance  without  a  prospect  of  others  to  follow.  It  was  a 
heavy  pressure  of  persecution  that  could  drive  them  from 
their  old  Southern  homes  to  Washington  for  protection, 
and  the  heavy  pressure  of  want  staring  them  in  the  face 
that  could  induce  them  to  leave  for  Northern  States  to 


430  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

find  work.  Fifteen  thousand  were  then  huddled  in  and 
about  Washington.  Hundreds  could  not  get  work  at  ten 
cents  a  day,  besides  rations.  General  O.  O.  Howard  gave 
transportation  for  many  car-loads  to  go  to  the  States  of 
New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and  other  free  States.  But 
the  freedmen  could  not  be  persuaded  to  go  into  the  former 
slave  States,  after  having  left  them.  General  Howard  said 
Northern  humanitarians  ought  to  have  a  share  in  this 
Christian  enterprise  of  furnishing  work  for  the  able-bodied 
and  assisting  to  care  for  these  indigent  children;  and  he 
urged  me  to  bring  as  many  as  practicable. 

Mrs.  Ricks  knew  of  fifteen  who  wished  to  follow  their 
friends  that  had  gone  to  Ohio,  and  said  she  would  assist 
me  in  going  through  to  Adrian,  where  Joseph  McKenzie 
had  spoken  to  me  for  eight  or  ten  strong  men  for  his  brick- 
yard. If  they  had  families  he  said  he  would  help  them  in 
building  houses  on  his  own  land,  and  if  both  were  suited 
he  would  eventually  sell  lots  to  them. 

While  calling  on  F.  C.  Beaman,  member  of  Congress, 
and  wife,  I  was  urged  to  rest  three  or  four  days,  at  least, 
before  leaving  for  home.  But  I  told  them  I  must  hasten 
home  to  rest.  Transportation  was  secured  for  fifty-five 
adults  and  fifteen  orphans.  Before  we  reached  Altoona  I 
found  rations  had  not  been  provided  for  adults,  and  that 
we  j  must  purchase  at  least  seventy-five  loaves  of  bread  at 
that  town.  As  the  train  halted  a  few  minutes,  I  left  for 
the  bakery,  but  found  that  it  had  been  removed  a  block 
further.  We  went  on  a  run,  and  secured  the  bread ;  and 
I  sent  the  men  running  with  it,  so  as  to  reach  the  cars 
before  they  should  start.  But  I  was  left  behind,  with 
three  young  men  who  refused  to  desert  me.  The  men 
with  the  bread  reached  the  cars  just  as  they  were  begin- 
ning to  move.  Mrs.  Ricks  being  with  them,  I  was  easy  as 
to  their  condition.  I  found  I  had  better  keep  as  quiet  as 
possible,  as  I  was  threatened  with  an  attack  of  dysentery. 
But  transportation,  with  my  official  papers,  had  all  gone 


PASSES    SECURED.  431 

on,  and  there  was  not  a  soul  in  Altoona  that  I  ever  knew. 
Yet  I  was  not  discouraged,  but  took  the  three  young  men 
with  me  to  the  railroad  superintendent's  office,  and  told 
the  superintendent  I  had  come  on  a  queer  errand,  and  told 
my  short  story.  "And  now  I  solicit  the  favor  of  a  pass 
for  myself  and  these  three  young  men.  But  you  do  not 
know  whether  I  have  given  you  a  truthful  representation, 
for  I  have  not  so  much  as  a  scratch  of  a  pen  with  me 
to  prove  it." 

Said  he:  "You  say  your  name  is  Laura  S.  Havilaud. 
Did  you  not  secure  a  pass  to  Chicago  and  return,  three 
years  ago,  of  Mr.  Campbell,  at  Adrian?" 

"I  did,"  was  my  reply,  "as  I  was  going  South  with 
sanitary  supplies." 

"I  thought  I  had  seen  you  before,"  he  said.  "I  was 
his  chief  clerk,  and  made  out  those  passes  for  you ;  and  I 
will  give  you  a  pass,  as  you  request.  Would  you  like  to 
telegraph  to  the  lady  assistant?" 

"I  suppose,"  I  said,  "she  will  stop  over  at  Pittsburg 
until  I  overtake  them;  but  it  would  be  a  favor  if  their 
baggage  could  be  properly  rechecked  at  Pittsburg  to  stop 
over  one  train  at  Cleveland,  as  a  portion  of  the  adults  are 
to  stop  there." 

"  I  will  telegraph  the  freight  agent  to  take  special  care 
in  rechecking  their  baggage,  and  request  the  operators  to 
telegraph  to  railroad  authorities  at  Cleveland  that  this  car- 
load of  blacks  in  charge  of  Mrs.  Ricks  are  to  wait  over 
one  train  for  you." 

I  told  him  if  that  could  be  done  without  fail  it  would 
be  a  great  favor,  as  I  was  sick,  and  Mrs.  Ricks  would 
have  time  to  send  these  colored  people  up  town  to  their 
friends.  He  telegraphed  all  these  directions,  and  also  re- 
quested the  ticket-agent  to  meet  me  with  the  passes. 

While  waiting  for  the  train  I  was  furnished  with  a  sofa 
by  the  kind  matron  who  kept  the  ladies'  waiting-room.  I 
was  met  at  the  Pittsburg  depot  with  passes,  and  conducted 


432  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

to  the  waiting-room  for  a  few  moments,  when  the  young 
man  came  to  assist  me  on  the  right  car.  By  this  time  my 
fever  ran  high,  but  higher  still  on  reaching  Cleveland,  and 
finding  that  all  had  gone  on  to  Adrian.  Here  tickets  to 
Adrian  were  waiting  for  me. 

I  met  brother  J.  Berry  at  Adrian  depot,  who  informed 
me  that  all  were  cared  for.  I  left  all  with  the  Lord  and 
the  good  people  of  Adrian,  who  knew  nothing  of  my  try- 
ing experiences. 

My  children  were  urgent  to  send  for  the  doctor  at  once. 
I  insisted  on  my  water  treatment,  but  promised  to  comply 
Avith  their  request  if  not  materially  better  in  twelve  hours. 
A  few  days  of  rest  and  quiet  restored  my  health. 

Although  Adrian  was  a  little  alarmed  at  this  new  ex- 
perience of  army  stampedes,  yet  in  due  time  places  were 
found  for  all  to  work,  and  eventually  many  of  them  be- 
came owners  of  their  own  homes. 

The  children  of  soldiers  and  other  homeless  waifs, 
needed  attention,  and  I  found  more  than  a  dozen  in  our 
Orphans'  Home  without  a  shirt  for  a  change.  But  sister 
Annie  Berry  donated  forty  yards  of  heavy  sheeting,  and 
within  two  weeks  we  had  a  hundred  yards  made  up  into 
substantial  garments  for  these  little  homeless  ones.  My 
health  being  still  too  poor  for  hard  work,  I  spent  a  few 
weeks  with  my  sou,  Joseph  B.  Haviland,  at  Acme,  Grand 
Traverse  County. 

On  my  return  home,  I  found  our  commission  had  con- 
cluded to  close  the  asylum  work,  and  expend  its  means  in 
supporting  schools  in  the  South.  They  had  sold  the  AVest 
Hall,  and  it  had  been  removed  to  Tecumseh,  and  they 
were  about  to  sell  the  team  and  other  property.  I  now 
stated  the  motive  I  had  when  I  gave  the  deed  with  a  pro- 
viso, and  said  that  removing  the  building  was  a  wrong 
step  for  our  commission  to  take,  in  view  of  the  proviso.  I 
met  the  commission  in  Detroit,  and  laid  before  them  my 
object,  and  my  desire  to  make  it  a  State  asylum,  for  the 


TRANSFER   OF   ASYLUM. 

children  of  soldiers  and  all  others  who  were  in  our  county 
poor-houses,  that  were  mere  nurseries  for  the  prison.  I  had 
inquired  of  superintendents  of  penitentiaries,  how  many 
of  the  convicts  had  been  left  orphans  in  childhood;  and 
the  average  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and 
our  Michigan  State  Prison  was  more  than  three-fourths. 
Emma  A.  Hall,  matron  of  the  female  prisoners  in  the 
Detroit  house  of  correction,  informed  me  that  every  girl 
and  woman  under  her  care  had  been  left  an  orphan  in 
childhood.  In  view  of  this  record,  and  of  there  being  a 
greater  number  of  that  class  since  the  war  than  ever  be- 
fore, I  had  felt  the  necessity  for  this  asylum. 

George  Duffield,  D.  D.,  the  president  of  our  commis- 
sion, replied:  "We  know  not  but  this  check  is  of  the 
Lord,  for  we  are  finding  it  hard  work  to  secure  homes  for 
the  forty  children  now  in  the  Home  who  are  under  ten 
years  of  age."  And  he  moved  that  a  month  be  allowed 
me  to  make  satisfactory  arrangements  according  to  my  de- 
sign. While  I  was  endeavoring  to  secure  ten-dollar  sub- 
scriptions to  effect  this  result,  J.  R.  Shipherd,  secretary 
of  the  Western  Division  American  Missionary  Association, 
sent  an  agent  to  purchase  the  asylum  and  continue  it  in  its 
present  form.  He  stated  the  American  Missionary  Associa- 
tion could  not  take  it  with  the  proviso,  but  would  pay  me 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  the  five  hundred  dollars  I 
had  agreed  to  deduct  out  of  the  two  thousand  dollars  pur- 
chase money,  if  I  should  relinquish  the  proviso.  I  feared 
the  result,  thinking  the  enterprise  might  be  only  an  experi- 
ment, and  might  close  at  some  future  period,  leaving  these 
children  a  public  burden.  But  J.  R.  Shipherd  pledged 
his  word  that  no  child  of  whom  the  American  Missionary 
Association  should  take  control  should  become  a  public 
burden,  and  would  further  agree  to  expend  on  the  build- 
ing and  grounds,  at  least  from  three  thousand  to  five  thou- 
sand dollars  within  a  year  and  a  half  or  two  years  at  longest. 

From  the  confidence  I  had  in  the  association  I  yielded, 


434  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

though  reluctantly.  The  agent  desired  me  to  take  charge 
of  the  asylum  as  matron,  ten  days  or  two  weeks,  as  Mr. 
Shipherd  could  secure  a  matron  from  Vicksburg,  Missis- 
sippi, in  that  time.  I  agreed  to  do  this  free  of  charge. 
Mrs.  Edgerton,  whom  he  engaged  as  matron,  arrived  in 
four  weeks, 

It  was  now  late  in  October,  and  my  Winter  cough  began 
to  trouble  me.  This  the  Southern  Winters  had  melted 
away  during  three  Winters  past,  and  I  concluded  to  resign 
my  agency  in  our  State  Freedmen's  Aid  Commission  and 
work  under  the  auspices  of  American  Missionary  Associa- 
tion of  the  middle  division.  I  secured  transportation  from 
General  O.  O.  Howard  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  and  again  left 
my  dear  ones  at  home  for  that  field.  I  spent  a  few  days 
with  my  dear  friends,  Levi  and  Catharine  Coffin,  at  Cin- 
cinnati. As  the  secretary,  brother  Cravath,  was  on  an 
investigating  tour  in  the  South,  Levi  Coffin  proposed  that  I 
should  go  to  work  over  the  river,  in  Covington  and  Newport, 
Kentucky,  as  there  were  a  few  thousand  freedmen  congre- 
gated in  those  towns.  He  introduced  me  to  a  lieutenant, 
in  whose  charge  the  freedmen's  department  was  left,  Avho 
took  me  to  a  number  of  barracks,  where  the  sick  and  suf- 
fering were  occupying  bunks  with  a  bed  sack  that  had, 
when  possible,  been  filled  with  hay,  leaves,  or  husks. 

One  poor  woman  had  nothing  in  her  sack,  and  that 
was  all  she  had  for  her  bed,  aside  from  an  old  condemned 
blanket.  She  was  suffering  intensely  with  rheumatism. 
Her  limbs  and  hands  were  all  drawn  out  of  shape,  thus 
disabling  her  from  dressing  herself.  I  purchased  some  hay 
immediately  and  had  her  moved  so  as  to  have  her  bed-sack 
filled,  and  then  furnished  her  with  a  warm  quilt.  I  procured 
quantity  of  thick  red  flannel  and  made  her  a  long-sleeved 
garment  to  reach  over  her  feet,  and  made  it  before  I  slept. 
The  next  morning  I  took  it  to  her  and  saw  it  on  her.  The 
poor  woman  could  say  nothing  for  weeping,  but  after  com- 
manding her  feelings,  she  said,  "This  is  more  than  I  de- 


MISSION   WORK.  435 

serve.  All  the  sufferin'  I's  had  all  the  year  is  nothin' 
compared  to  the  sufferiu'  of  my  Jesus  for  poor  me."  The 
colored  woman  who  had  the  care  of  her  said  she  never  had 
seen  such  patience  in  all  her  life.  The  next  day  I  took 
her  another  flannel  garment,  and  relieved  many  others 
during  the  mouth  I  spent  in  this  field. 

Our  lieutenant  was  an  excellent  man.  One  day  he 
wished  me  to  go  with  him  to  see  his  old  building  that  he 
had  ordered  fitted  up  for  a  school  for  three  hundred  freed 
children  in  that  part  of  his  district.  But  he  found  that 
nothing  had  been  done.  "  Upon  my  word,"  he  exclaimed, 
"  not  a  stroke,  not  a  stone,  not  a  window.  O,  I  can't  stand 
this  red  tape;  I  just  want  to  leave  every  other  duty  and 
pitch  into  this  house.  I  know  I  am  too  impulsive,  but 
that  is  the  way  of  an  Irishman.  I  have  often  thought 
Peter  was  an  Irishman,  he  was  so  impulsive." 

I  spent  the  greater  portion  of  New-year's  day,  1867, 
in  calling  upon  twelve  families  and  taking  to  the  sick  and 
aged  ones,  blankets  and  clothing.  I  walked  nearly  a  mile 
to  the  ferry,  and  called  at  the  mission-rooms,  where  I  found 
the  secretary,  E.  M.  Cravath,  just  returned  trom  his  South- 
ern tour.  He  thought  my  work  was  most  needed  in  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee.  I  received  from  him  my  commission  for 
that  field.  I  met  in  his  office  Rev.  A.  Scofield  and  daugh- 
ter, just  driven  from  Camp  Nelson,  by  returned  secession- 
ists. After  a  very  busy  New-year's  day,  I  returned  to  Levi 
Coffin's Jpr  the  night,  and  the  next  day  left  for  Memphis, 
which  I  reached  on  the  6th,  spending  two  days  in  Cairo. 

In  the  evening  I  attended  a  large  colored  church,  and 
at  the  close  of  the  service  introduced  my  work.  The  meet- 
ing, as  usual,  was  very  demonstrative.  The  home  assigned 
me  was  a  Mission  Home,  with  thirteen  teachers,  Joseph 
Baruum,  formerly  of  Oberlin,  Ohio,  being  superintendent. 
It  was  a  rich  treat  to  meet  several  who  had  been  co-workers 
in  the  field  of  clashing  arms  and  roar  of  cannonading.  But 
few  can  realize  the  strength  of  the  tie  that  binds  those  who 


436  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

have  labored  together  in  the  lion's  den.  One  of  the  teach- 
ers being  sick,  at  the  request  of  the  superintendent  I  tem- 
porarily took  her  place. 

On  my  way  to  school,  one  morning,  I  was  conducted  to 
the  place  where  lay  twelve  dead  bodies  till  the  third  day 
after  the  terrible  riot  which  occurred  a  few  months  previ- 
ously. One  of  the  bodies  was  half  burned.  I  was  shown 
another  corner  of  the  streets  where  lay  six  bodies  more  at 
the  same  time.  O  what  horrible  scenes  were  enacted  then. 
My  conductor  pointed  to  a  charred  spot  of  earth  where 
had  stood  a  cabin  in  which  lay  a  very  sick  woman,  whose 
daughter  of  sixteen  years  stood  in  the  door  pleading  with 
the  infuriated  mob  not  to  burn  their  house  for  her  mother 
was  near  dying,  and  it  was  impossible  for  her  to  carry  her 
out.  One  fiend  caught  her  up  on  his  bayonet  and  tossed 
her  into  the  midst  of  the  flames  of  an  adjoining  cabin.  In 
a  moment  her  screams  of  agony  were  hushed  by  the  crack- 
ling flames.  Fire  was  then  thrown  into  the  dying  woman's 
cabin,  and  both  mother  and  daughter  perished.  Their 
charred  bodies  were  taken  out  by  their  friends  and  buried 
with  others  slaughtered  in  the  riot  of  May,  1866.  In  that 
riot  there  were  forty-six  negroes  killed,  seventy-five  wounded, 
five  rapes  were  committed,  ten  persons  maltreated,  and  one 
hundred  robbed,  and  ninety-one  houses  and  cabins  burned, 
besides  four  churches  and  twelve  school-houses  reduced  to 
ashes.  These  facts  were  given  me  by  white  witnesses  as  well 
as  colored,  and  they  probably  may  be  found  on  General 
Kiddoo's  military  record,  as  he  was  one  of  the  officers  with 
armed  soldiers  who  quelled  the  terrible  riot.  I  was  soon 
relieved  of  school  duty,  and  as  I  received  a  few  boxes  of 
goods,  a  portion  of  which  were  from  England,  I  found 
constant  employment  in  the  ever-varying  mission  work. 

The  grandmother  of  a  little  girl  who  had  died  a  few 
days  before  was  very  sick  and  in  great  distress  of  mind 
when  I  entered  her  cabin,  she  said  imploringly,  "O,  missus, 
do  pray  for  poor  me.  Cau  God  forgive  sich  an  ole  siuner  as 


FEAR    OF    RIOT.  437 

me?  Can  I  fin*. Jesus  so  quick  as  poor  Mary  Jane  did  afore 
she  died?  I  knows  she  went  so  happy;  I  prayed  all  night, 
but  'pears  like  so  dark ;  do  n't  see  de  place  o'  de  candle."  I 
read  to  her  of  the  readiness  of  Jesus  to  forgive,  and  how 
he  forgave  the  thief  on  the  cross,  because  he  repented  and 
looked  to  Jesus  in  faith  even  in  his  last  moments.  As  I 
knelt  by  her  cot  I  implored  unbounded  mercy  in  the 
Spirit's  teaching  this  precious  soul  the  way  to  enter  in 
through  the  door.  I  left  her  more  calm.  She  lingered  a 
few  days,  but  her  mind  became  clear  from  the  shadow  of 
a  cloud.  She  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  leaving,  she 
said,  her  little  lambs  with  the  dear  Shepherd,  "Dat  hunted 
de  lost  sheep  an'  foun'  her  'mid  de  wolves,  dat  scratch  her 
mightily."  The  children  were  taken  to  the  orphanage. 

While  pursuing  this  work  our  lives  were  daily  threat- 
ened, and  some  had  fears  of  another  riot.  One  Union 
woman  on  our  block  told  me  that  she  had  often  spent 
sleepless  nights  on  our  account.  She  had  heard  such  fre- 
quent threats  that  "Nigger  teachers  should  be  cleared  out, 
as  well  as  free  niggers,"  that  she  expected  every  day  would 
be  our  last,  and  every  pistol  shot  she  heard  in  the  night, 
or  the  alarm  of  fire,  she  listened  and  looked  in  the  direc- 
tion of  our  Mission  House.  But  I  told  her  I  did  not 
believe  we  should  have  another  riot;  I  believed  the  God 
of  Daniel  was  able  and  willing  to  protect  us,  and  that  in 
him  was  my  confidence. 

"But  you  don't  know  these  people  as  I  do,"  she  said, 
"for  I  have  always  lived  here.  I  have  sometimes  thought 
I  would  not  tell  you.  And  then  I  made  up  my  mind  that 
I  would,  so  you  could  be  more  on  your  guard;  because 
they  threatened,  just  as  they  do  now,  before  that  awful  riot 
a  few  months  ago." 

The  teachers  who  were  my  room-mates  said  they  had 
heard  of  the  same  threats,  but  there  were  soldiers  near  at 
hand  now,  and  when  the  riot  broke  out  there  were  so  few 
here  they  had  to  be  called  from  other  points  to  quell  it. 


438  A  WOMAN'S  LI FK- WORK. 

On  April  13th  I  visited  the  sick  ami  relieved  eight 
families.  Then  I  went  over  old  Fort  Pickering  and  through 
the  freedmeu's  hospital,  containing  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  inmates,  four  of  them  cripples,  and  fifteen  very  old. 
Of  one  I  inquired  how  old  she  was : 

"I's  goin'  on  two  hundred,"  she  answered.  "Massa's 
book  say  I's  one  hundred  aud  eight,  an'  dat  is  eight  years 
for  another  hundred,  ain't  it?  Dey  name  me  Esther  Jane. 
I  was  sole  at  sheriff's  sale  for  debt  to  Massa  Sparks.  In 
de  ole  war  Massa  George  Washington  was  a  mighty  kind 
man.  He  boarded  wid  Massa  Sparks  four  or  five  weeks. 
He  wore  short  breeches  an'  knee-buckles  an'  a  cocked  hat. 
I  kep'  his  room  clar'd  up." 

She  was  not  as  blind  as  a  number  who  were  much 
younger.  But  her  skin  was  full  of  fine  as  well  as  deep 
wrinkles,  and  of  an  ashen  hue.  I  gave  a  litte  sugar  and 
some  crackers  to  many  of  them. 

I  returned  to  find  a  colored  man  who  had  been  directed 
to  me.  He  had  made  his  escape  the  night  before  from  his 
old  master,  who  seemed  to  have  no  more  idea  of  his  leav- 
ing him  than  if  there  had  been  no  proclamation  of  free- 
dom. His  wife  had  been  sick  a  long  time,  and  he  stayed  to 
take  care  of  her  till  she  died,  then  he  watched  an  oppor- 
tunity to  bring  his  two  little  children  with  him.  But  his 
master  he  supposed  was  also  watching,  for  he  soon  over- 
took him  with  help  and  took  his  children  away  from  him, 
and  his  bundle  of  clothes  that  he  was  going  to  put  011 
when  he  got  far  enough  from  the  house  to  feel  safe  with 
his  children.  He  said  it  was  his  best  suit.  The  shirt  and 
drawers  he  had  on  were  good,  and  they  constituted  his 
entire  wardrobe.  I  laid  out  a  number  of  garments,  and 
told  him  to  go  into  the  store-room  and  select  a  whole  suit 
that  would  best  fit  him.  The  next  thing  to  be  done  was 
to  accompany  him  to  Colonel  Palmer's  office,  where  he  told 
his  own  pitiful  story,  and  the  colonel  asked  him  if  he 
could  take  care  of  liis  children  if  he  got  them. 


UNCLE   PHILIP.  439 

"If  you'll  be  so  good  as  to  help  me  get  them,  these 
hands,"  (holding  them  out  toward  the  colonel)  "shall  take 
as  good  care  of  them  as  they  do  of  me,"  and  his  eyes  filled 
with  tears.  I  left  him  with  the  colonel,  who  told  him  he 
would  send  with  him  an  escort  of  soldiers  the  next  morn- 
ing, "and  the  master  will  not  dare  refuse  to  give  up  the 
children  on  reading  the  note  I  shall  send  him." 

A  little  excitement  existed  over  the  murder  of  Mr. 
Errickson,  a  Union  man,  who  fled  to  Memphis  with  his 
family  for  safety  during  the  war.  A  few  weeks  before 
the  present  time,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Summerville. 
He  had  been  home  but  a  few  days  before  he  was  shot  dead 
in  front  of  a  store.  His  poor  wife  and  two  daughters  were 
almost  insane  over  his  untimely  death.  He  thought  the 
country  was  becoming  more  quiet,  and  he  could  risk  going 
quietly  to  their  home.  There  was  a  very  smart  colored 
woman  in  town  who  witnessed  his  murder.  She  was  at 
Memphis  ostensibly  to  do  a  little  trading;  but  her  errand 
was  to  inquire  of  the  real  friends  of  the  colored  people 
which  man  they  had  better  vote  for — Parson  Brownlow  or 
the  conservative  candidate — for  governor.  The  men  did 
not  dare  to  come,  for  fear  they  would  be  mistrusted ;  and 
she  came  to  learn  from  Union  men  their  choice  for  gov- 
ernor, to  take  back  word,  and  report  at  Summerville. 

I  was  one  day  passing  the  old  barracks  of  soldiers, 
then  occupied  by  freedmen.  I  heard  distressing  groans, 
and  called  to  see  whence  they  came.  I  found  an  old  man 
of  ninety -seven  years,  called  "  Uncle  Philip,"  in  great 
bodily  distress.  "  How  long  have  you  been  Buffering  like 
this?"  I  inquired. 

"  Only  two  years,"  he  said. 

"Two  years  must  seem  a  great  while." 

"  O  no,  it 's  only  a  little  minute,  compared  with  eter- 
nity of  rest  in  glorious  mansions  Jesus  went  to  prepare  for 
me ;  for  I  knows  I 's  got  a  home  thar',  missus,  I  knows  it, 
'case  I 's  seen  it,  an'  I  feels  it." 


440  A   WOMAN'S  LI FK- WORK. 

"  How  long  have  you  felt  this  evidence?" 
"  I  seen  it  el'ar  as  sunshine  when  I  was  ten  year  ole. 
My  massa  was  a  mighty  wicked,  swcarin',  cruel  man.  An' 
his  overseer  was  a  mighty  big  wicked  black  man;  his  name 
was  Munday.  An'  all  the  seventy-five  grown  ban's  on  the 
plantation  was  mighty  wicked  too.  I  hear  so  much  sweariu' 
I  had  a  bad  ide'  of  God  and  Jesus;  I  reckou'd  they's  some 
great  men,  that  sent  people  to  a  mighty  bad  place.  One 
day  a  Methodis'  minister  stop  to  Massa  Malachi's  for  din- 
ner. When  he  lef  massa  call  nle  to  bring  his  boss  to  'im. 
An'  de  preacher  put  his  ban'  on  my  head  an'  say,  'Philip 
is  a  smart  little  boy.  An'  if  you  '11  ask  God  to  make  you 
good  he  '11  do  it.  Then  when  you  die  you  '11  go  to  that 
great,  beautiful  city  up  yonder,  where  it's  all  light  and 
beautiful.  Here  little  Philip  lias  to  go  'round  among  stubs 
and  stones,  barefoot ;  there  he  '11  walk  the  golden  streets  in 
silver  slippers.  Here  he  wears  his  slip ;  there  he  '11  be 
dressed  in  a  beautiful  white  robe.  Here  he  goes  bare- 
headed ;  there  he  '11  wear  a  beautiful  crown,  all  glittering 
with  stars.  Would  n't  you  like  to  go  to  such  a  beautiful 
city  as  that  when  you  die'?'  'Yes,  sir,'  I  say.  'Well,  ask 
God  to  make  you  good,  and  that  will  be  your  home ;  for 
Jesus  loves  little  children.'  An'  he  jump'd  on  his  boss  and 
rode  away,  while  I  stood  thar,  wonderin'  what  sort  of  a  man 
that  could  be,  that  knew  so  much  'bout  God  and  heaven. 
Now  I  must  fin'  God,  to  ask  'im  to  make  me  good  ;  an' 
f'om  this  man's  'scription,  he  must  be  settiii'  on  some 
cloud.  Day  and  night  I  watcli  f<jr  'im ;  an'  when  I  looked 
upon  the  stars  I  wondered  if  these  sparklin'  stars  was  what 
God  put  in  de  crowns  be  put  on  de  beads  of  all  good  peo- 
ple an'  good  chillen. 

"  One  day  Aunt  Milla,  the  cook,  sent  me  to  pick  up 
an  armful  of  wood  for  her.  While  I  stood  lookin'  up  to 
de  clouds,  him  tin'  for  God,  I  hear  a  sweet  soft  voice  say, 
'Chile,  pray.'  I  look  all  'moug  de  tree-tops,  to  see  who's 
thar',  an'  it  say,  'Chile,  pray,'  again.  An'  I  was  sure 


UNCLE   PHIT/S   STOHY.  441 

somebody  up  in  de  tree-tops,  an'  I  got  scared,  an'  drop  my 
armful  of  wood,  an'  run  to  Aunt  Milla,  all  out  o'  bref. 
'What  ails  you,  Phil?  What's  the  matter?'  she  said. 
'Somebody  's  in  de  tree -tops,  an'  say,  "Chile,  pray."' 
'  Hush,  chile,'  Aunt  Milla  said,  'dat's  God  talkin  to  you.' 
'  No  't  ain't.  I 's  been  huntin'  for  God  a  good  many  days, 
an'  can  't  fin'  im.'  '  Honey,  you  can 't  see  God  wid  de 
eyes  you  sees  Aunt  Milla.  God  is  a  great  good  spirit  dat 
knows  all  'bout  what  you  want,  an'  what  you  're  thinkiu' 
'bout.  I  wish  I  was  a  Christian,  but  I  ain't.  I 's  hearn 
Christians  talk,  an'  I  knows  dat  God 's  talkin'  to  you, 
honey.  Now,  you  go  by  yourse'f,  alone  like,  an'  ask  God 
to  make  you  good,  as  you  say  you  want  to,  an'  he  '11  do 
it,  sure.' 

"  Here  was  a  new  thought,  dat  I  could  fin'  God,  an' 
not  see  'im.  But  I  did  as  Aunt  Milla  tole  me.  It  'peared 
like  I  must  fin'  God.  My  heart  ached  like,  all  thro'  me, 
'I 's  so  anxious.  Only  a  few  days  after  I  was  totin'  an 
armful  o'  plates  to  the  dinin'-room  for  Aunt  Milla.  All  at 
once  I 's  so  happy  I  did  n't  know  myse'f.  I  drop  my 
"plates,  an'  broke  I  do  n't  know  how  many.  But  I  did  n't 
stop  for  plates;  I  shouted,  'Bless  Massa  Jesus!  Glory! 
Glory  hallelujah  to  God!  I 's  fouu'  'im;  I  knows  it's  God.' 
I  got  hold  of  my  papa  and  mamma,  an'  tole  'em  to  ask 
God  to  make  'em  good,  an'  he'd  do  it;  an'  took  hold  of 
my  little  mate  July,  'bout  my  age,  an'  tole  'im  he  inns' 
pray,  an'  I  'd  pi-ay  for  'im.  In  a  few  days  he  got  'ligiou 
too.  An'  two  young  white  ladies,  Massa  Malachi's  nieces, 
lived  thar',  an'  learned  us  to  sing  the  sweet  hymn  : 

"  '  My  Savior,  my  Almighty  Friend, 

When  I  begin  thy  praise, 
Where  shall  the  growing  numbers  end, 
The  numbers  of  thy  grace?' 

An'  I  tole  July  we'd  have  prayer-meetiu's  in  our  cabin 
of  nights,  an'  de  ole  folks  gathered  'round  us,  an'  our  cabin 
was  full.  Massa  Malachi  Murphy  was  angry  'bout  it; 


442  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

sometimes  he'd  scold,  sometimes  make  fun  o'  me,  an' 
call  me  de  '  big  preacher,  Howlin'  Phil.'  But  as  all  dat 
did  n't  put  me  down,  he  call  me  to  'im  an'  say,  '  You 
shall  stop  this  prayin'  an'  singin'  in  your  cabin,  or  I  '11 
whip  you  to  death,'  an'  he  swore  I  was  ruinin'  his  planta- 
tion. My  papa  an'  mamma  tried  to  get  me  to  stop.  They 
said,  '  You  know  Massa  Malachi  will  do  jus'  as  he  say.' 
'  O  no,  I  can  't  stop  prayin'  to  Jesus,  he  's  so  good  to  poor 
me.  I  can 't  stop  prayin',  I  said.  But  we  did  stop  our 
prayer-meetin's  in  our  cabin,  but  we  had  our  night  mee tin's 
in  a  deep  ravine  over  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away.  Forty  or 
fifty  of  our  fellow  slaves  would  meet  us  thar  to  hear  us 
pray  an'  sing.  At  las'  massa  set  de  overseer,  Munday,  to 
watch  us,  an'  he  found  us  out.  He  ordered  Munday  to 
bring  July  an'  me  to  'im  afore  sun  up.  When  we  come  in 
sight  of  de  yard  we  seen  two  ropes  hangin'  to  a  big  tree 
limb,  an'  I  stop  an'  look  to  July,  an'  to  de  woods,  wid  a, 
half  a  min'  to  run.  But  July  says,  '  We  knows  we  can  't 
stop  prayiu',  an'  we  knows  what  we  '11  take  jus'  as  well  firs' 
as  las'.'  Then  I  was  'shamed  to  think  I  was  firs'  in  de^ 
cause,  an'  July  stronger  'n  me.  An'  we  went  through  de 
gate  an'  stood  afore  massa,  settin'  in  de  back  door  in  his 
night  shirt.  He  began  to  swear  we  was  ruinin'  his  whole 
plantation,  an'  now  he  was  goin'  to  have  us  whipped  to 
death.  '  Now  you  see  you  've  got  to  die  or  stop  prayiu'; 
will  you  stop  this  d — d  prayin'?'  '  O  massa,  do  please  let 
me  pray  to  God,  do  please.'  '  Strip  off  your  slip,  tie  'im  up 
thar,  MUQ,  an'  give  'im  a  full  round.'  It  was  done  accordin' 
to  order;  twenty  lashes  with  the  bull  whip,  an'  twenty 
strokes  with  the  paddle.  Turning  to  July,  he  said,  'Will 
you  stop  prayiu'  or  die?'  ' Massa,  do  please  let  me  pray  to 
God,'  said  July.  With  an  oath,  he  was  bidden  to  take  off 
his  slip,  an'  tied  to  the  other  rope  with  a  rail  at  the  lower 
end,  nearly  touching  the  ground.  The  paddle  was  an  inch 
board  four  inches  wide,  three  or  four  feet  long,  whittled  at 
one  end  for  the  handle,  having  six  or  eight  inches  bored 


UNCLE  PHIL'S  STORY.  443 

full  of  holes,  each  hole  drawing  a  blister  at  every  stroke. 
The  full  round  was  given  to  July  as  ordered,  twenty  lashes 
with  the  bull  whip  and  twenty  strokes  with  the  paddle. 
AVith  an  oath  he  turned  again  to  me,  '  Now,  have  you  got 
enough  to  stop  your  praying  or  will  the  devil  die  ?'  '  O 
massa,  do  please  let  me  pray  to  God,  he  is  so  good,'  I  an- 
swered. '  Mun,  give  'im  another  full  round,'  and  twenty 
lashes  with  the  whip,  and  twenty  strokes  with  the  paddle 
was  again  given.  Again  he  queried  July,  who  gave  the 
same  reply  as  before,  and  the  full  round  was  ordered  and 
given  again.  Then  he  ordered  him  to  be  cut  down,  swear- 
ing that  he  would  whip  him  to  death  the  next  time  he 
heard  of  his  praying.  But  he  swore  he  'd  have  the  little 
devil,  Phil.,  whipped  to  death  now,  as  he  was  first  in  this 
'devilish'  praying.  As  I  expected  to  die,  I  prayed  all 
through  this  terrible  ordeal  that  Jesus  would  come  near  to 
help  me  endure  it,  in  his  name. 

"I  felt  him  like  he  was  by  my  side,"  continued  Uncle 
Philip,  as  the  tears  dropped  thick  and  fast,  often  stopping 
a  moment  to  find  utterance.  "Massa  bid  July  go  home 
an'  behave,  an'  he  order'  de  overseer  to  give  me  another 
round  unless  I  'd  promise  to  stop  prayin'.  But  it  'peared 
like  I  felt  stronger  in  de  Lo'd,  an'  I  give  de  same  answer, 
and  I  can't  tell  how  long  I  was  whipped  an'  paddled,  for 
when  I  cum  to,  I  was  cut  down,  and  lay  in'  in  de  blood  on 
de  groun' — I  fainted  away.  Massa  was  lookiu'  at  me  thar 
in  his  night  shirt ;  I  see  him  as  cl'ar  as  if  't  was  done  yes- 
terday. He  swore  I  should  never  cum  in  his  sight  again,  or 
cum  inside  dat  gate,  pointing  to  it.  I  prayed  in  my  heart 
for  God  to  give  me  strength  to  git  up  and  walk  to  de 
quarters,  for  the  pain  an'  loss  of  blood  made  me  so  weak 
an'  faint.  But  de  good  Lo'd  was  thar,  an'  I  presently  got 
strong  enough  to  get  up  an'  took  my  slip  in  ban',  an'  stag- 
gered out  dat  yard,  and  cum  up  to  July.  He  stop  on  de 
way  to  see  if  I  was  'live.  When  we  pass  de  quarters  all 
along,  de  old  men  an'  women  stood  at  their  doors  cryin'. 


444  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

When  we  got  out  o'  sight  of  de  great  house,  one  ole  man 
an'  'omau  called  us  to  'em  an'  oiled  our  backs.  Da  said 
we  was  all  cut  up  to  a  jelly,  an'  put  soft  cloth  over  de 
gashes.  Our  people  tried  harder 'n  ever  to  stop  our  pray  in' 
an'  singin',  caze  Massa  Malachi  sure  to  kill  us. 

"A  few  days  after  niassa  sent  for  rne,  an'  I  'spected 
he'd  finish  me  dis  time  sure.  But  I  felt  Jesus  was  close 
by  me;  I  was  weak  in  de  body,  but  strong  in  de  Lo'd.  I 
obeyed,  as  I  stood  all  trimbly  afore  'im.  'Well,  howlin' 
preacher,  if  you  are  boun'  to  preach  you  shall  preach,'  an' 
he  swore  I  should  have  enough  of  it.  'Next  Sunday,  at 
eleven  o'clock  you  shall  preach;  I'm  going  to  invite  all  the 
white  folks  an'  black  people  'round  here  to  cum  to  hear  de 
big  preacher.  I  'in  going  to  have  a  pulpit  built  under  that 
big  tree'  (pointing  to  one  in  the  yard  two  rods  from  the 
one  the  ropes  were  tied  to  when  we  was  whipped).  'Now 
we  '11  have  a  big  meetin'  to  hear  de  big  preacher.  You 
uuderstan',  do  you?'  'Yes,  massa,'  I  say,  an'  he  sent  me 
away.  I  tol'  July  what  massa  said.  'Now  we  m us' pray  to 
God  to  sen'  a  minister,  an'  pray  God  to  soften  massa's 
heart,  to  let  'im  preach,  for  you  knows  Massa  Malachi 
will  do  jus'  as  he  says  he  will,  an'  God  will  answer  our 
prayer.'  At  nights  I  went  to  one  plantation  an'  July 
went  to  another,  an'  we  tried  to  git  some  Christian  man 
or  some  Christian  woman  to  promise  to  preach  if  massa 
would  consent.  But  not  one  would  promise.  They  all 
knew  it  was  just  for  sport.  Sunday  morning  came  with  a 
great  parade  of  hauling  boards,  an'  a  pulpit  was  built." 

Uncle  Philip  said  it  looked  more  terrifying  to  him 
than  would  a  gallows  if  built  for  his  own  hanging.  People 
gathered  from  all  directions,  both  white  and  colored,  and 
filled  the  whole  yard.  The  hour  of  eleven  brought  the 
master  to  the  door  in  his  arm-chair,  with  his  family  Bible 
in  his  lap.  Taking  his  watch  from  his  pocket,  he  called 
out,  "Come  on,  my  big  preacher." 

"I  obeyed  the   command,"  said  Uncle  Philip,  "as  I 


UNCLE  PHIL'S  STORY.  445 

stood  afore  'im.  'Now  we  are  to  hear  this  howling 
preacher,'  he  said,  sueeringly,  'and  you  can-'t  preach  with- 
out the  Bible,  an'  I  '11  hold  it  wide  open,  an'  you  must  look 
right  at  me  when  you  preach.  The  time  is  up;  go  to 
your  pulpit.'  I  asked  July  if  he  would  go  up  with  me  and 
help  me  sing — 

"  'My  Savior,  my  Almighty  Friend.' 

Nodding  an  assent,  we  went  on.  It  'peared  like  I  was  too 
weak  to  go  up  four  or  five  steps.  I  trim  bled  an'  sweat 
all  over.  But  once  I  was  up  my  strength  cum  to  me,  and 
we  sung  so  loud  de  people  say  da  hear  ev'ry  word  all  over 
dat  great  yard.  By  de  time  we  got  to  de  las'  line  of  third 
verse  de  people  was  cryin'  for  mercy  an'  down  on  dair 
knees  crying,  'Lo'd,  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?'  'Lo'd 
have  mercy  on  me,  a  sinner!'  'Be  merciful  to  poor  me,  or 
I'm  lost."  These  cries  we  hear'n  from  every  side.  I  never 
felt  happier  or  bolder  in  my  life,  while  tears  of  joy  ran 
down  as  I  faced  my  ole  massa.  He  slam  de  door  shut,  an* 
da  said  he  jumped  between  two  feather-beds  to  keep  from 
heariu'  de  cries  of  de  people.  I  tell  you,  honey,  de  Lo'd 
made  dat  hymn  my  sin-killer  on  dat  blessed  day,  long, 
long  to  be  'mem  be  red." 

"And  did  you  preach?"  I  asked. 

"Preach,  chile;  de  Lo'd  did  all  de  preachin'  dat  day. 
We  finish'  de  hymn,  an'  we  went  down  an'  talked  art' 
prayed  wid  de  seekers,  an'  we  staid  dar  all  night,  an'  afore 
next  mornin'  twenty-three  was  converted  an'  praisiu'  God. 
Massa  call  for  me,  an'  I  'spected  my  time  cum  now  any- 
how. But  I  was  ready  for  death  or  life.  I  went  without 
fear  of  any  thing.  He  looked  at  me  as  mile  as  a  lamb,  an' 
said,  'Phil,  my  boy,  you  may  preach,  pray,  or  sing  as 
much  as  you  please,  an'  go  where  you  please,  an'  you  shall 
never  be  hit  another  lick  as  long  as  I  live.'  I  bowed  low 
an'  said,  'Thauky,  Massa  Malachi;  God  bless  you,  massa,' 
I  praised  God  as  I  turned  away  from  him  who  had  caused 
me  so  much  sufFerin'. 


446  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"  But  Ged  turned-  it  into  a  great  blessin'.  He  dismissed 
his  overseer,  aii'  never  'lowed  one  of  his  slaves  to  be  pun- 
ish' after  that  great  day.  In  one  year  seventy-three  on 
dat  plantation  was  converted.  Two  nieces  of  massa's  was 
'moug  'em,  besides  a  few  other  white  folks.  But  Massa 
Malachi  tried  to  git  'em  to  give  up  'ligion,  an'  sent  'em  to 
danciu'  frolics.  An'  da  come  to  me  for  advice  as  if  I  was 
deir  brover.  I  tole  em  Massa  Malachi  took  keer  of  'em, 
'caze  day  was  orphans,  an'  de  sin  would  res'  on  de  uncle 
dat  make  'em  go  agin  deir  will,  and  not  on  dem.  Two 
years  after  one  of  'em  got  married  an'  moved  thirty  miles 
away,  an'  she  got  leave  of  massa  to  let  me  go  an'  stay  a 
week  or  two  at  a  time.  At  las',  poor  gal,  she  died  of  con- 
sumption, and  sent  for  me  a  month  afore  she  died  to  stay 
wid  her,  an'  she  often  asked  me  to  pray  wid  her.  O  how 
happy  she  died,  in  full  faith  in  de  'ligiou  she  foun'  on  de 
blessed  day  massa  compel  me  to  preach,  little  thinkiu'  he 
was  'pointin'  a  meetin'  for  de  Lo'd  of  hosts  instead  of  little 
Phil.  But  my  people  on  other  plantations  often  sent  for 
me  to  preach,  but  I  never  call  it  preachiu',  only  'ligious 
talks.  Da  would  have  me  help  organize  Churches  all 
'roun'  thar.  In  four  years  we  organized  seven  Churches 
an'  the  cause  prospered. 

"At  las'  so  many"  persecutions  an'  sufferin'  was  goin'  on 
Irgot  disheartened.  I  began  to  question  whether  it  wan't 
me  causin'  all  dis  sufferin',  an'  I  stop  goiii'  to  prayer-meet- 
in'  four  months,  an'  de  ministers  an'  Christian  men  an' 
Christian  women  come  to  see  me  an'  say,  '  Brodder  Philip, 
why  don't  you  come  to  meetin',  as  you  use'  to?'  I  tole 
'em,  'caze  I  didn't  feel  like  it.  Said  one  man,  'I's 
feared  de  devil's  got  hold  of  you.'  I  tole  'im  I  'spected 
he  'd  had  hold  o'  me  a  long  while,  for  I  felt  bad  enough  to 
be  his  work.  I  tole  'im  Massa  Malachi  made  me  preach, 
an'  God  did  n't  have  nothiu'  to  do  wid  it,  for  he  knew  massa 
Avas  a  wicked  man." 

These    doubts  and  fears  seemed  to  follow  Uncle  Philip 


UNCLE  PHIL'S  STORY.  447 

day  and  night,  until,  as  he  said,  his  distress  was  great. 
Then  he  fell  into  an  insensible,  lifeless  state,  in  which  he 
lay  fourteen  days.  Said  he : 

"  My  mother  dressed  me  for  de  grave;  but  as  my  limbs 
did  not  stiffen,  Massa  Malachi  sent  for  a  doctor  who  placed 
a  glass  before  my  face,  an'  moisture  gathered  on  it.     He 
tole  'em  it  was   not   entirely  cole  over  de   heart,   an'  da 
mus'n't  bury  me  until  decomposition   took   place,  caze  it 
might  be  a  trance.     An'  da  kep'  me  in  de  kitchen  wid 
Aunt  Milla,  de  cook,  to  watch  me.     It  'peared   like  I's 
goiii'  down  into  a  horrible  place  of  awful  soun's  an'  rattlin' 
of  chains ;  an'  I  prayed  mightily  for  help,  an'  Jesus  reached 
down  an'  took  my  ban'  an'  lifted  me  up  to  a  glorious  palace 
so  beautiful,  an'  every  thing  was  light.     Steps  seemed  built 
out  of  light,  somehow  made  into  sub'sance;  I  can 't  'escribe 
it.     My  guide  tole  me  I  was  wrong  to  doubt,  when  God 
had  been  so  good  to  me  in  all  my  hard  trials.     He  showed 
me  de  windows  dat  let  light  down  to  dis  earth,  an'  to  de 
churches  I  helpt  organize.     It  seemed  like  beiu'  led  from 
place  to  place  into  a  mighty  big  country.     When  I  seen 
'em  all  dress'  in  pure  white  robes  an'  singin'  such  splendid 
music,  I  look  at  myself  and  see  how  filthy  an'  ragged  I 
look,  I  say  to  my  guide,  'I  can  never  go  in  dat  company.' 
'  Yes  you  can  when  Jesus  wash  you  in  his  blood.   •  All  you 
see  was  as  filthy  an'  ragged  as  you.     But  da  is  made  clean.' 
An'  we  crossed  over  a  line  like,  an'  firs'  I  know  I 's  in  de 
pure  white  robe  too,  an'  singin'  wid  all  dat  great  company. 
O  I  can't  'escribe  how  happy  I  felt  in  raugiu'  wid  my 
guide  de  fields  of  light  an'  sich  glorious  visions.     At  las'  he 
said,  '  You  mus'  go  back  to  earth  an'  teach  your  people  de 
way  to  dis  glorious  home,  dat  is  your  home  if  you  be  faith- 
ful in  readiu'  dis  book.'     I  said,  '  I  am  a  slave  back  thar, 
an'  can  't  read.'     'But  this  book  you  can  read,'  an'  he  laid 
de  open  book  on  my  outstretched  lef*  arm ;  de  tip  of  de 
golden  leaves  reach  the  tip  of  my  fingers,,  an'  the  other  tip 
of  the  leaves  touch  my  head.     He  took  me  two  or  three 


448  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

little  steps,  an'  I  thought  I  was  back  to  earth,  an1  I  ask 
Auut  Milla  for  a  drink  as  I  was  so  thirsty.  And  she 
said  de  bucket  of  water  was  on  de  bench,  an'  ray  little 
cup  by  it. 

"  When  I  cum  to  myse'f  I  was  standin'  by  de  bucket 
driukin'  out  o'  my  cup.  But  nobody  was  in  de  house  but 
Mina,  a  little  gal  'bout  eight  year  ole,  massa  bought  out 
of  a  drove  was  passiu'  by  de  kitchen  door,  and  run  to  the 
fiel'  shoutiu'  all  de  way  'Phil's  alive!  Phil's  alive!'  An' 
all  de  haii's  on  de  plantation  cum  runuin'  to  de  house, 
an'  my  mother  caught  me  firs',  '  Praise  God,  my  chile's 
alive.'  De  firs'  1  said,  '  I 's  been  wrong  to  doubt  God ; 
I  never,  never  will  doubt  him  any  more.'  I  never  can, 
for  I 's  had  a  glimpse  of  hell,  and  have  been  in  dat  beau- 
tiful world  of  light." 

I  have  given  Uncle  Philip's  narrative  in  his  own  lan- 
guage as  I  took  it  down  in  my  note-book  at  the  time -of  my 
interviews  with  him.  His  was  indeed  a  green  old  age ;  his 
mind  remarkably  clear,  and  his  memory  retentive.  From 
time  to  time,  as  I  read  a  chapter  or  a  psalm,  he  often 
referred  to  certain  passages  that  he  had  dwelt  upon  since  I 
had  left  him.  In  relating  his  history  he  often  shed  tears; 
at  one  time  with  his  elbows  resting  upon  his  knees,  and 
face  buried  in  the  calico  'kerchief  until  it  was  wet.  At 
another  time  he  was  just  raising  himself  up  from  the  kneel-, 
ing  position  when  I  came  in.  "I's  jus'  bin  prayin'  for 
you,"  he  said.  "I  did  't  know  as  you  's  so  near,  but  I  felt 
your  spirit.  It  sort  o'  lif  s  me  up  to  talk  wid  you.  I  prayed 
dat  de  good  seed  you  's  sowin'  'mong  our  people  may  lodge 
in  good  groun'  an'  bring  a  hundred  foF.  De  men  you 
talked  to  on  de  bridge  'bout  sweariu'  never  '11  forgit  your 
words.  You's  doin'  more  for  our  poor,  ignorant  people  dan 
you  knows  on." 

He  lived  about  a  year  after  I  left  Memphis,  Tennessee. 
I  sent  him  occasionally  two  or  three  dollars,  through 
Superintendent  Barnum  or  his  wife,  who  often  called  to  see 


UN'CI.E    PHIL'S   STORY.  449 

his  wants  supplied.  The  last  words  he  uttered  were  a  few 
lines  of  one  of  his  favorite  hymns,  "  Give  me  wings,"  and 
his  happy  spirit  took  its  flight,  having  faithfully  read  the 
book  he  said  he  had  always  kept  in  his  heart.  I  was  often 
forcibly  impressed  while  conversing  with  that  aged  saint. 
How  manifest  is  the  power  of  our  Wonderful,  in  his  deal- 
ing with  his  followers,  just  according  to  their  needs.  That 
poor  ignorant  man  could  not  read  the  written  Word,  but 
God  took  his  own  way  to  lead  and  instruct  him,  to  fit  him 
for  an  instrument  in  his  hand  of  turning  many  souls  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

On  May  11,  1867,  I  took  the  cars  for  home.  Having 
instructions  from  the  American  Missionary  Association  and 
transportation,  I  took  fifteen  homeless  orphans  to  our  asy- 
lurn  in  my  former  school,  Raisin  Institute.  I  left  this  field 
of  arduous  toiling,  often  passing  the  former  residence  of 
John  P.  and  Thomas  K.  Chester,  who  had  so  often  threat- 
ened my  life.  Both  closed  their  earthly  career  by  untimely 
deaths.  I  reached  home  on  the  14th,  praising  the  God  of 
Daniel  for  his  keeping  power  in  the  lion's  den. 

30 


450  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

CHRISTIAN  LABOR  AND  RESULTS. 

IT  seemed  refreshing  to  meet  with  sympathizing  friends 
after  toiling  for  mouths  among  false  brethren.  It  was  a 
relief  to  enjoy  a  few  days  of  freedom  from  care.  After 
asking  a  few  friends  to  sign  an  article  of  agreement  to  pay 
one  dollar  a  year  during  five  years  for  the  orphan  asylum, 
and  mailing  a  couple  of  letters  to  Levi  Coffin  and  Rev.  E. 
M.  Cravath,  of  Cincinnati,  I  took  from  the  office  a  drop- 
letter  from  Mr.  Burton  Kent,  County  Superintendent  of 
the  Poor,  containing  the  following  notice: 

"MRS.  LAURA  S.  HAVILAND, —  Many  persons  trans- 
ported by  you  last  year  have  become  a  county  charge,  and 
it  has  become  an  intolerable  burden  to  the  tax-payers. 
Any  person  bringing  a  child  or  indigent  person  into  this 
county  without  being  legally  indentured,  shall  be  prose- 
cuted to  the  full  extent  of  the  law." 

Within  five  minutes  after  reading  the  above  notice  I 
was  on  my  way  to  our  County  Poor-house,  three  miles 
from  town.  To  my  surprise  I  found  that  no  colored  child 
had  been  there,  and  of  the  fifty-one  inmates  but  three  were 
colored,  and  only  one  man  (Mr.  Morris  Brown)  who  came 
with  me  the  previous  Summer  had  been  received.  He 
was  discharged  in  a  short  time.  A  stay  at  the  infirmary 
for  two  months  and  a  half  was  a  burden,  but  was  it  "intol- 
erable to  the  tax-payers"  of  our  county? 

I  felt  that  I  must  search  diligently  to  discover  all  the 
facts.  I  called  on  Mr.  Helms,  who  said  there  was  a  widow 
with  four  or  five  children  that  was  sick  a  couple  of  weeks, 
and  he  had  supplied  her  with  a  load  of  wood  and  grocer- 
ies. I  asked  for  the  cost,  but  as  it  was  not  convenient  for 


ORPHAN    ASYLUM.  451 

him  to  give  the  figures  then,  he  said  he  would  furnish 
them  the  following  Tuesday.  Mr.  Young  had  told  him 
that  he  had  buried  a  family.  I  called  to  learn  what  family 
it  was  in  his  ward.  He  gave  the  name  of  the  man  who 
died  after  a  short  illness,  and  to  whom  he  had  taken  a 
load  of  wood,  a  small  sack  of  flour,  and  some  other  grocer- 
ies. I  inquired  if  he  had  taken  these  things  to  them  more 
than  once.  He  said  he  had  not,  as  his  wife  was  all  there 
was  to  look  after,  and  she  took  care  of  herself  after  her 
husband's  death.  He  gave  me  the  expenses — eight  dollars 
and  ninety-six  cents.  I  called  on  Mr.  Helms  at  three  ap- 
pointed times,  and  failed  to  get  his  precise  figures,  but, 
placing  them  at  highest  rates,  from  all  I  could  gather 
it  could  not  have  been  more  than  thirty-five  dollars.  I 
wrote  an  article  for  the  Adrian  Times,  in  which  I  stated 
the  figures,  and  informed  the  citizens  and  tax-payers  of 
Lenawee  County  that  this  orphan  asylum  was  under  the 
auspices  of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  which 
Avas  responsible  for  its  support.  I  solicited  some  mathe- 
matician to  give  us  the  fraction  of  a  mill  to  each  tax- 
payer as  his  share  of  this  "intolerable  burden  upon  the 
tax-payers." 

Our  county  superintendents  of  the  poor,  Burton  Kent 
and  Allen  AVarren,  the  officials  from  whom  I  received  the 
notice,  were  surprised  to  learn  that  the  American  Mission- 
ary Association  was  the  responsible  party.  But  all  these 
threats  sprang  from  prejudiced  parties,  and  clearly  indi- 
cated the  necessity  of  a  few  strokes  of  the  reconstruction 
brush  north  of  Mason  and  Dixou's  line,  as  well  as  south 
of  it,  to  obliterate  the  color-line.  Friends  here  and  there 
paid  me  a  dollar  on  their  pledge  of  a  dollar  a  year,  and 
our  colored  friends  in  the  city  of  Adrian — Sarah  Lewis, 
with  her  brothers  and  Mr.  Wilson ,  managers  of  a  festival — 
realized  thirty-two  dollars  and  sixty-one  cents,  cash,  and 
fifty  jwunds  of  meat,  beans,  fruit  and  clothing,  valued  at 
fifty  dollars. 


452  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WOEK. 

July  the  Fourth  was  a  merry  day  for  the  forty  little 
folks  at  the  asylum.  At  dark  fire-crackers,  torpedoes  and 
sky-rockets  flew  in  every  direction  for  ail  hour,  when  all 
were  arranged  in  a  semicircle  and  sang  "  John  Brown," 
"Bed  White  and  Blue,"  "  Bally  'Bound  the  Flag,  Boys," 
and  a  few  temperance  songs,  in  great  glee.  It  was  a 
happy  group.  We  had  a  few  visitors,  who  left  us  the  hap- 
pier for  seeing  the  children  and  listening  to  their  sweet 
voices  in  song. 

I  was  often  engaged  in  procuring  good  homes  for  these 
orphans.  A  few  homes  were  found  that  were  not  suita- 
ble, and  the  children  were  withdrawn  and  placed  in  other 
homes. 

On  September  19th  I  met  Mrs.  Edgerton,  the  matron  of 
our  asylum,  with  T.  D.  Allen,  of  Kalamazoo,  agent  under 
J.  B.  Shipherd,  secretary  of  the  American  Missionary 
Association,  who  were  authorized  to  build  a  school-room  for 
the  asylum.  Heretofore  the  children's  play-room  had  been 
used  for  the  school  during  the  warm  season.  As  the 
American  Missionary  Association  was  doing  a  great  work 
in  the  late  slave  States  in  maintaining  freedmen's  schools, 
the  officers  concluded  to  solicit  aid  in  the  State  of  Mich- 
igan for  the  building  of  the  much  needed  school-room. 
They  urged  me  to  engage  in  this  work,  but  I  thought  that 
I  had  done  my  share,  in  giving  the  time  I  had  to  solicit- 
ing money  for  the  purchase  of  supplies.  Elizabeth  L. 
Comstock,  having  received  one  thousand  dollars,  appro- 
priated it  to  enlarge  the  little  farm  to  thirty-five  acres, 
buy  a  horse,  and  furnish  the  little  folks  with  hats,  etc. 
Then  I  wanted  to  look  for  a  home,  as  I  was  becoming 
rather  weary  of  singing  the  old  song, 

"  No  foot  of  land  do  I  possess, 
No  cottage  in  this  wilderness." 

This  had  been  my  condition  for  nearly  three  years ;  but 
with  all  my  pleading,  I  failed  to  be  released.  As  it  was 
already  cooler  weather,  and  Winter  would  soon  overtake  us, 


RAILROAD   OFFICIALS.  453 

T.  D.  Alleu  said  I  had  worked  long  enough  without  re- 
ward, save  that  of  blessing  these  little  homeless  waifs,  and 
now,  if  I  would  take  hold  of  this  enterprise,  I  should  be 
paid  the  same  amount  he  was  receiving. 

At  length  I  agreed  to  spend  a  week  or  two  at  least, 
and  took  from  him  the  bill  of  all  the  kinds  of  lumber 
needed,  and  left  for  Detroit.  Judge  F.  C.  Beaman  fur- 
nished me  with  a  letter  of  introduction,  indorsed  by  Rev. 
Dr.  George  Duffield,  of  Detroit.  I  called,  as  he  advised, 
on  Samuel  Pitts,  who  subscribed  one  hundred  dollars  in 
lumber.  I  selected  out  of  my  bill  what  was  first  called 
for  to  enable  the  carpenters  already  engaged  to  commence 
their  work.  I  then  called  on  Mr.  Cooper,  freight  agent,  to 
seciue,  if  possible,  free  transportation  to  Adrian;  to  him  I 
gave  my  introductory  letter.  When  he  glanced  at  the 
heading,  without  reading  it,  he  gave  it  a  toss  on  his  table 
toward  me,  with  a  look  of  disgust,  saying,  "I've  seen  that 
thing  before,  and  I  Ve  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"That  is  a  mistake,"  said  I ;  "  that  paper  is  from  F.  C. 
Beaman,  and  not  a  week  old." 

"If  I'm  not  very  much  mistaken  I  've  seen  it  before." 

"  Well,  you  are  very  much  mistaken,  for  I  brought  it 
to  this  city  with  me  yesterday,  and  I  have  not  been  in 
your  office  until  this  minute.  But  I  am  not  soliciting 
money.  I  only  called  to  see  if  I  can  secure  free  transpor- 
tation for  one  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  lumber  to  Adrian 
for  an  orphan  school-room,  as  forty  little  homeless  wajfs, 
under  our  care,  have  no  school-room,  except  a  wood-house 
and  play -room.  The  cold  weather  will  soon  overtake  us." 

He  listened  patiently  to  my  short  speech,  and  said  he 
had  no  authority  to  grant  such  a  favor ;  that  I  would  have 
to  write  to  C.  H.  Hatch,  then  in  Chicago. 

"I  know  he  would  grant  it,"  I  said,  "for  he  granted 
this  quarter  pass  on  his  road  for  my  mission  work,"  show- 
ing the  pass. 

He  turned  it  over  and  spent  double  the  time  in  exam- 


454  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

iuing  it  that  he  did  on  my  introductory  letter,  and  said, 
slowly,  "I  think  I  will  risk  sending  this  car-load,"  and 
wrote  an  order  to  his  assistant  to  send  it  forthwith  to 
Adrian. 

I  thankfully  returned  to  my  duty  of  calling  on  the  list 
of  the  benevolently  inclined  wealthy  persons  whose  names 
Dr.  Duffield  and  J.  F.  Conover  had  furnished.  Rev.  Dr. 
Hogarth,  Mr.  Raymond,  the  book-merchant,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Duffield  gave  sufficient  to  pay  the  cartage  of  the  lumber 
to  the  depot.  Soon  it  was  on  its  way.  I  dined  at  Moses 
Sutton's,  who  gave  $5,  and  his  sister  Annie  $1.  Mr. 
Brooks  gave  me  $25  in  lumber.  Mr.  Brouson  gave  five 
thousand  shingles;  another  gave  $2.50  in  shingles. 

After  a  few  days  at  home  I  returned,  October  25th,  to 
Detroit,  and  toiled,  like  the  fishermen,  nearly  all  day,  and 
caught  nothing.  Weary,  and  almost  discouraged,  I  was 
about  to  retire  to  my  resting-place  at  Augustus  Leggett's, 
when  one  gave  $5,  another  $2.  The  following  day  I  called 
on  C.  Merrill,  who  gave  $5 ;  another  gave  $5 ;  Mr.  R.  C. 
Remick  gave  $10;  Mr.  Whitney  gave  $5.  Weariness 
coaxed  me  to  another  sweet  resting-place,  the  home  of  my 
dear  friends  J.  F.  and  Hannah  Conover.  I  called  on  a 
few  persons  whose  names  had  been  given  me  by  Mr.  Pal- 
mer, from  whom  I  received  $17 ;  and  from  a  few  others  I 
received  $15.  John  Bagley  gave  $10;  another  gave  $5; 
Rev.  J.  A.  Baughman,  $5 ;  and  Mr.  King,  his  son-in-law, 
$5.  I  also  called  on  Governor  Crapo,  who  gave  $5.  Oth- 
ers gave  $5,  $2,  and  $1,  until  I  had  forty  dollars  more  to 
aid  in  constructing  our  school-room. 

We  secured  sufficient  means  to  build  our  school-room. 
In  all,  with  the  favors  granted  by  the  Michigan  Southern 
and  Lake  Shore  Railroad,  we  received  about  four  hun- 
dred dollars. 

Through  the  kindness  of  my  friend,  L.  Tabor,  Esq., 
who  purchased  a  house  and  small  lot  for  me,  I  again  had 
a  place  for  my  children  to  occupy,  which  I  could  call  my 


MISSION   WORK    NEEDED.  455 

home ;  for  which  I  praised  the  Lord,  from  whom  all 
blessings  flow. 

As  our  orphan  asylum  was  now  in  a  good  condition, 
Mrs.  Edgerton,  the  matron,  said  the  secretaries  of  the 
three  divisions  of  the  Missionary  Association,  Chicago, 
Cincinnati,  and  New  York,  met  and  voted  her  one  hun- 
dred dollars  a  mouth,  with  which  to  carry  forward  this 
asylum.  She  deemed  this  an  ample  supply,  with  what  had 
been  raised  on  the  place.  She  said  it  was  then  on  a  more 
substantial  basis  than  it  had  been  during  the  year  she  had 
had  it  in  charge. 

Through  General  O.  O.  Howard  I  learned  that  mission 
work  was  much  needed  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and 
received  from  him  transportation  to  that  city  by  way  of 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

My  health  being  now  restored,  on  January  29,  1869,  I 
left  my  sweet  home  and  loved  ones  at  three  o'clock  P. 
M.,  and  spent  the  night  in  Toledo,  with  my  old  friends, 
William  Merritt  and  wife.  I  attended  with  them  the 
prayer-meeting  in  the  new  colored  church.  I  arrived  at 
Pittsburg  with  but  little  detention.  Passing  through  the 
mountains,  we  found  the  snow  deeper  than  when  I  left 
Michigan.  At  seven  A.  M.  we  passed  the  wreck  of  three 
cars  which  had  run  off  the  embankment  and  were  still 
burning.  Among  the  killed  taken  from  the  wreck  was  a 
woman  partially  burnt.  I  did  not  learn  the  number  of 
killed  and  injured.  Amopg  these  dead  and  dying  I  should 
probablv  have  been  had  I  not  spent  the  night  in  Toledo, 
as  this  was  the  train  I  would  have  been  on  had  I  remained 
on  the  one  I  left.  O,  how  sad  to  look  upon  this  smolder- 
ing wreck,  from  which  I  had  so  narrowly  escaped!  This 
was  the  third  accident  of  this  kind  which  I  had  thus  prov- 
identially missed  in  my  travels  by  river  and  rail  of  three 
thousand  miles.  Many  are  the  dangers,  seen  and  unseen, 
through  which  I  have  passed,  and  the  remembrance  of 
this  disaster  calls  forth  a  renewed  song  of  deliverance  and 


456  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

praise  for  the  Guiding  Haud  that  preserves  through  the 
vicissitudes  of  this  ever-changing  life. 

I  arrived  in  Washington  early  in  the  morning,  and  took 
breakfast  with  my  friend  Dr.  Glenau.  Here  I  found  my 
brother,  Harvey  Smith,  and  his  sou,  who  were  teaching 
freedmen's  schools,  and  with  them  I  spent  the  Sabbath. 
In  the  evening  I  attended  the  Colored  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  was  invited  to  address  the  large  meeting.  I 
spoke  half  an  hour,  and  told  the  history  of  Uncle  Philip, 
and  how,  amidst  the  persecutions  and  sorrows  to  which  his 
slave-life  subjected  him,  he  had  kept  his  hand  in  the  hand 
of  his  Savior  all  these  ninety-seven  years. 

While  speaking  of  his  being  whipped  until  he  fainted, 
a  few  wept  aloud,  and  after  meeting  a  number  came  to  tell 
me  of  their  being  whipped  for  praying.  One  woman  was 
whipped  until  she  fainted,  and  one  man  was  kept  in  the 
stocks  all  night  after  being  whipped,  and  came  near  dying. 
His  master  told  him  he  "would  whip  the  praying  devil 
out  of  him,"  using  the  same  words  that  Uncle  Philip's 
master  used  to  him. 

The  surgeon-in-chief,  Dr.  Reyburn,  wished  me  to  re- 
main in  Washington  another  day,  and  thought  General 
Howard  would  permit  me  to  stay  there  for  a  time,  to 
engage  in  sanitary  work.  I  had  an  interview  with  the 
general,  who  thought  I  was  most  needed  in  Washington, 
during  the  Winter  season  at  least.  He  gave  me  authority 
to  visit  the  free  soup-houses,  and  investigate  the  sanitary 
work  generally.  After  reading  my  commission,  I  told  him 
I  had  a  request  to  make,  and  that  was  that  the  authority 
with  which  I  was  vested,  might  be  kept  secret.  To  inves- 
tigate to  the  best  advantage  was  my  object.  I  was  also 
appointed  to  examine,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  condition  of 
applicants  for  charity,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  charity 
was  applied.  My  office  was  furnished,  and  board  was 
allowed  me  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  freedmen's  hospital 
in  Campbell  Camp. 


SOUP-HOUSES.  457 

On  February  6th  I  called  at  Josephine  Griffin's  relief 
office  before  10  o'clock  A.  M.  Between  sixty  and  seventy 
persons  called  on  her,  mostly  for  work.  I  followed  a  num- 
ber of  the  applicants  for  soup-tickets  to  their  homes.  In 
visiting  twenty  families  during  the  day,  I  found  a  number 
of  persons  in  squalid  wretchedness.  One  man  was  very 
sick  with  a  high  fever,  and  unconscious.  He  had  received 
no  help,  because  unable  to  make  personal  application,  and 
he  had  no  family  to  intercede  for  him.  His  bed  was  a  pile 
of  rags  in  the  corner  on  the  floor.  I  called  for  the  Bureau 
physician  and  saw  that  he  had  suitable  bed-clothing  and 
food.  The  physician  said  he  must  have  died  within  two 
or  three  days  in  that  condition.  Among  the  applicants  for 
relief  was  an  Irish  woman,  who  had  a  brick  house  she  was 
renting,  except  the  back  room,  which  she  occupied,  and  had 
another  nearly  finished.  She  and  her  family  for  whom  she 
was  begging  soup,  lived  in  good  style. 

The  fourth  day  of  my  investigations  revealed  great  de- 
ficiency in  properly  looking  after  applicants  for  aid.  The 
greatest  sufferers  were  often  too  diffident  to  ask  for  help. 
The  soup-houses  were  generally  well  managed.  I  called  as 
one  whom  curiosity  had  drawn  into  the  motley  crowd,  and 
was  treated  to  a  taste  of  fine  soup,  even  at  the  "  Savage 
Soup-house,"  where  I  saw  two  caldrons  of  soup.  The  one 
from  which  I  was  served  might  well  tempt  the  palate  of 
an  epicure,  but  the  other  looked  too  forbidding  for  a 
human  stomach.  I  soon  found  the  good  soup  was  being 
given  to  the  white  applicants,  who  were  first  served,  while 
the  colored  people,  standing  in  the  yard,  were  waiting  their 
time.  Policeman  Ross  told  a  shivering  colored  man  to  go 
inside  and  put  his  pail  on  the  farther  block  for  soup. 
"I  shall  be  sent  out,"  he  replied. 

"I  tell  you  to  go  in, "said  the  policeman ,  "  I  '11  see  to  that." 
He  obeyed   the  order,  only  to  receive  curses:  "You 
know  better  than  to  come  yet;  another  thing  you  know, 
this  soup  is  for  white  folks,  the  other  is  for  niggers," 

39 


458  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

At  this,  Policeman  Ross  came  in:  "I  have  seen,"  said 
he,  "fish  made  of  one  and  flesh  of  another  long  enough. 
Here  are  women  and  children  standing  out  on  the  ice  and 
snow,  waiting  all  this  afternoon  for  you  to  serve  the  white 
people  first.  Another  thing  I  'd  like  to  know,  why  is  this 
difference  in  the  soup?  That  black  stuff  is  hardly  fit  for 
pigs  to  oat,  Mr.  Savage,  and  you  know  it." 

"  Our  citizens  furnish  material  for  this  soup,"  replied 
he,  "  and  our  citizens  shall  have  it." 

"  Doesn't  General  Howard  furnish  a  hundred  pounds 
of  beef  and  two  hundred  loaves  of  brea:l  each  day?  and 
on  Saturday  it  is  double.  Another  thing  I  'd  like  to 
know :  are  these  not  our  citizens?"  pointing  toward  the 
yard  full  of  colored  people. 

"There  are  ten  thousand  too  many  of  'em,  and  it's  none 
of  your  business;  I  shall  do  as  I  please." 

"I  will  let  you  know;  I  shall  make  it  my  business  to 
report  you  to  General  Howard." 

Mr.  Savage  poured  out  a  horrid  volley  of  oaths  at  him, 
adding  that  all  his  reporting  would  make  no  difference 
with  him.  One  Irish  woman  received  three  loaves  of 
bread,  four  quarts  of  soup,  and  a  large  piece  of  meat. 
After  nearly  all,  both  white  and  colored,  were  served,  the 
lieutenant  policeman  left,  but  Mr.  Ross  remained  until  the 
end  of  the  disbursing.  I  was  tempted  to  cheer  the  policeman 
for  his  bravery,  but  thought  silence  the  better  part  of  valor. 

When  Aunt  Chloe's  "  cl'ariu'  up  time"  was  come,  I  took 
my  departure.  I  saw  the  policeman  standing  near  the 
gate,  and  said  in  low  tone,  as  I  passed  out,  "  I  thank  you 
for  your  words." 

"  Stop;  do  you  live  here?"  he  said. 

"  Temporarily." 

"  Go  slowly  till  I  get  my  club,  so  I  can  catch  up.  I 
want  to  see  you." 

He  soon  overtook  me,  and  inquired  whether  I  was  one 
of  the  visiting  committee.  I  told  him  that  I  was  author- 


GEORGE    SAVAGE.  459 

ized  by  General  Howard  to  inspect  the  soup-houses.  He 
asked  whether  I  was  going  to  report  Savage.  "  I  am  on 
my  way,"  I  said,  "  to' the  general's  office  for  that  purpose." 
"  I  will  give  you  my  name  and  number,"  he  replied,  "and 
will  run  to  see  the  lieutenant  of  police,  who  will  give  his 
name  and  number  for  reference  also ;  I  '11  overtake  you  by 
the  time  you  reach  Pennsylvania  Avenue."  And  off  he  ran. 
As  I  wished  to  inspect  the  poor  soup  more  thoroughly,  I 
called  at  a  cabin,  the  home  of  the  poor  man  that  the 
policeman  compelled  to  go  in  and  demand  the  good  soup. 
I  found  his  quart  cf  excuse  for  soup  on  the  stove  to  cook 
the  half  raw  bits  of  turnips  and  potatoes.  I  tasted  of  what 
the  policeman  said  was  hardly  fit  for  pigs,  and  fully  agreed 
with  his  assertion,  for  the  man  said  it  made  them  sick  to  eat 
it  without  cooking  it  over.  This  man  had  been  sick  with 
pneumonia,  and  his  mother  very  sick  with  it  at  this  time. 
I  hurried  to  the  nearest  grocery,  where  I  bought  crackers, 
sugar,  rice,  bread,  tea,  and  mustard  for  a  plaster  to  put  on 
her  side.  The  man  had  received  only  a  slice  of  bread  with 
his  quart  of  soup,  for  the  seven  reported  in  his  family,  four 
of  whom  were  sick. 

When  I  reached  the  avenue,  I  met  the  policeman  who 
had  nearly  run  himself  out  of  breath.  He  was  delayed  in 
hunting  for  the  lieutenant,  who  sent  word  that  he  would 
call  on  the  general  to  confirm  my  report  if  necessary,  and 
gave  his  name  and  number.  The  result  of  the  report  was, 
that  a  notice  was  sent  at  once  to  Mr.  Savage  that  there 
must  be  no  difference  in  giving  to  the  poor,  either  in  qual- 
ity or  quantity  at  his  soup-house,  and  that  the  difference 
made  between  white  and  colored,  as  reported  to  him,  could 
not  continue.  In  reply,  Mr.  Savage  denied  having  made 
any  difference  in  his  soup-house,  and  charged  the  reporter 
with  being  an  arrant  liar,  and  he  also  made  the  same  state- 
ment in  the  Daily  Chronicle. 

I  wrote  a  confirmation  of  my  report,  using  his  own 
words  in  connection  with  the  remarks  of  policeman  Ross, 


460  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  took  it  to  Dr.  Reyburn,  surgeon-in-chief  in  the  sani- 
tary work.  The  doctor  approved  my  statement,  and  wrote 
a  few  lines  of  preface  himself.  As  I  used  Mr.  Ross's 
name,  I  called  on  him,  who  also  approved,  and  referred  to 
the  lieutenant  of  police,  who  was  present,  and  both  sanc- 
tioned my  report.  This  was  published  in  the  Chronicle. 

At  this  Savage  raved,  and  swore  he  would  arrest  me' 
for  defamation.  Neither  did  the  p>liceniau  whose  name  I 
used  as  reference  go  unscathed.  The  chief  of  the  police 
force  requested  Mr.  Ross  to  see  me  and  learn  by  what  au- 
thority I  was  acting,  as  there  seemed  to  be  none  indicated 
in  my  article  in  the  Chronicle.  Mr.  Ross  said  the  chief  of 
police  did  not  doubt  my  authority,  but  would  like  to  know, 
if  I  had  no  objection.  I  presented  my  paper,  with  a  re- 
quest that  the  matter  should  be  held  as  confidential,  as  I 
did  not  wish  to  make  it  public. 

After  reading  the  paper  he  said :  "I  think  you  are 
authorized  to  inspect  the  work  of  the  whole  of  us ;  I  see 
in  this  the  whole  field  is  included.  Would  you  object  to  my 
taking  this  to  the  chief  of  police,  if  I  bring  it  back  within 
an  hour  or  two?  We  may  in  some  cases  render  you 
assistance." 

I  had  no  objection,  and  he  took  it.  I  found  their  as- 
sistance in  a  few  cases  very  important,  as  well  as  conven- 
ient. But  with  all  the  Savage  threats,  nothing  was  done, 
and  not  even  a  reference  was  made  to  the  subject  in  either 
of  the  papers.  Surgeon  Reyburn  told  me,  as  he  wras  pass- 
ing a  corner  where  a  group  of  secessionists  were  discussing 
the  subject  quite  freely,  that  one  man  said,  "Why  don't 
Savage  do  something  about  that  soup-house  affair,  and  not 
be  a  numb-head,  and  let  that  woman  wind  him  around  her 
finger  like  that?"  Another  said,  "If  I'd  lied  once  over 
that  old  soup-house,  I  'd  lie  again,  before  I  'd  hold  still  and 
take  all  that."  He  changed  his  soup-house  policy  for  a 
little  while ;  but  the  complaints  among  secession  friends 
and  white  customers  caused  him  soon  afterward  to  backslide. 


DESTITUTE    FAMILIES.  461 

Mr.  Carpenter,  treasurer  of  the  Provident  Aid  Society, 
wrote  a  letter  to  George  Savage  that  he  thought  might 
improve  him.  But  Surgeon  Keyburu  sent  for  me,  and 
requested  me  to  prepare  for  running  the  Fourth  Ward 
soup-house,  as  lie  had  heard  they  were  going  to  discharge 
George  Savage.  I  called  on  Mr.  Shepherd,  the  proper 
authority  to  discharge  him.  He  said  that  in  a  week  or 
two  all  the  soup-houses  would  close  for  the  season,  and,  as 
Savage  had  received  letters  that  he  thought  he  would  im- 
prove by,  he  would  release  me  from  the  task  of  running 
the  soup-house.  I  therefore  continued  visiting  and  reliev- 
ing the  sick  and  suffering. 

I  met  in  my  rounds  Dr.  Cook,  who  said  there  was  a 
child  frozen  to  death  in  Kendal  Green  Barracks,  nearly 
two  miles  away.  Neither  the  doctor  nor  myself  knew  who 
had  charge  there.  I  went,  and  found  a  child  of  ten  months 
old  that  had  chilled  to  death.  The  mother  said  hers  was 
the  fourth  child  in  that  row  of  cabins  that  had  died  ;  and 
that  none  of  them  were  allowed  more  than  two  four-foot 
sticks  of  fire-wood  for  twenty-four  hours.  I  called  at  the 
other  cabins,  and  found  them  without  fire,  and  all  told  the 
same  story  of  lack  of  wood  and  no  coal.  There  was  neither 
bedding  nor  clothing  enough  among  them  all  to  make  a  sin- 
gle family  comfortable.  The  mother  of  the  dead  child  had 
been  to  see  the  superintendent  of  the  poor  of  the  city  to 
get  a  coffin.  With  shoes  but  little  better  than  none,  she 
had  waded  through  melting  snow  until  her  dress  was  wet 
four  inches,  at  least,  around  the  bottom.  I  inquired  who 
the  superintendent  of  this  camp  and  barracks  was,  and 
they  said,  Major  Thompson.  I  went*  to  his  head-quarters, 
but  found  that  he  and  his  family  had  gone  to  the  Capital 
to  learn  how  President  Johnson's  impeachment  trial  was 
likely  to  end.  I  repaired  to  General  C.  H.  Howard's 
office,  and  reported  the  condition  of  these  families.  He 
sent  me  back  in  his  ambulance,  with  fifty  loaves  of  bread, 
a  coffin  for  the  dead  child,  and  two  quilts  and  a  few 


462  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

blankets  for  the  destitute,  with  instructions  to  give  the 
bread,  except  one  loaf  to  each  of  the  four  families  I  had 
visited,  to  Major  Townsend,  a  man  that  I  had  met  in  the 
Sabbath -school  he  superintended.  He  was  surprised  to 
find  those  families  under  his  care  in  such  a  condition.  The 
general  furthermore  requested  me  to  make  a  thorough  in- 
vestigation of  Keudal  Green  Barracks  and  camp. 

The  following  day  I  visited  forty  families,  and  found 
twelve  sick,  and  not  sufficiently  supplied.  I  listened  to 
many  sad  stories  by  a  white  man,  who  had  been  one  of 
Major  Townsend's  police  guards  while  he  had  charge  of 
Campbell  Camp,  before  I  went  to  Washington.  I  was  in- 
formed that  the  major  had  charged  his  two  police  guards 
to  bring  the  woman  that  was  interfering  with  his  camp  to 
his  office  till  he  returned,  if  she  should  come  again  in  his 
absence.  Although '  they  were  quite  cross,  they  did  not 
take  me  to  the  major's  head-quarters,  as  I  told  them  I  was 
calling  by  request.  The  major  had  no  more  idea  of  who 
the  intruder  was  than  I  knew  who  the  superintendent  was 
until  I  made  my  report  to  the  general,  when  he  informed 
me  that  it  was  not  Thompson,  but  Major  Townsend,  to 
whom  I  had  been  introduced  in  a  colored  Sabbath-school. 
But  as  he  knew  by  the  supplies  which  I  took  to  the  families 
that  they  came  from  head-quarters,  he  called  on  General 
Howard,  and  from  him  learned  who  the  inspector  was,  and 
he  told  the  general  he  would  aid  me  in  calling  on  the  poor 
who  needed  aid.  While  he  spent  most  of  the  day  in  call- 
ing at  my  office  and  going  to  see  the  general,  I  was  visit- 
ing the  barracks. 

For  sundry  misdemeanors  while  in  office  the  major  was 
relieved,  and  another  appointed  in  his  stead.  Though  I 
did  not  think  he  was  the  right  man  for  the  place,  yet  I  felt 
sorry  for  his  excellent  family.  His  wife  and  two  young 
lady  daughters  I  had  called  on,  and  was  much  pleased  with 
their  self-sacrificing  Christian  spirit. 

There  was  much  excitement  in  Washington  during  a 


FATHER    DODSON.  463 

portion  of  May,  on  account  of  the  impeachment  and  trial 
of  President  Johnson.  At  length,  on  the  16th  of  the 
mouth,  the  news  spread  that  he  was  acquitted  of  the 
high  charges  made  against  him  by  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  that  his  power  was  left  uncurtailed.  But  he 
had  turned  his  back  upon  our  brave  soldiers,  who  bled  and 
died  to  save  the  nation's  life,  and  made  no  serious  effort 
to  put  an  end  to  the  Kuklux  outrages  iu  the  Southern 
States.  For  this  reason  many  demanded  that  he  be  re- 
moved from  his  office.  With  them  his  acquittal  foreboded 
ill ;  but  we  hoped  for  the  best. 

Uncle  Dodson,  aged  sixty -five  years,  a  plantation 
preacher  and  a  resident  of  Campbell  Camp,  caused  great 
excitement  when  he  found  his  long-lost  wife  and  she  found 
her  long-lost  husbaud.  Twenty  years  before  the  husband 
and  wife  were  torn  apart  by  the  unrelenting  slave-master. 
Weeping  and  begging  to  be  sold  together,  while  kneeling 
at  the  master's  feet,  they  were  only  answered  by  a  kick 
and  the  lash.  Now  they  met  again.  In  the  front  yard 
the  wife  came  running  to  him  crying  out,  "O  Ben  Dod- 
son, is  dis  you?  I  sum  your  own  Betty."  And  she  clasped 
him  closely.  "Glory!  glory!  hallalujah !  Dis  is  my 
Betty,  shuah,"  he  said,  pushing  her  away  to  look  at  her 
face.  "I  foun'  you  at  las'.  I's  hunted  an'  hunted  till  I 
track  you  up  here.  I's  boun'  to  hunt  till  I  fin'  you  if  you 's 
alive."  And  they  both  wept  tears  of  joy.  "Ah,  Betty, 
we  cried  harder 'u  dis  when  da  sole  us  apart  down  dar  in 
Egyp'."  And  another  outburst  of  joy  followed.  They 
were  soon  happily  living  together  in  their  own  little  cabin. 

The  old  man  had  some  queer  Scripture  quotations.  One 
he  recited  in  meeting  twice  before  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
correcting  him,  and  that  was,  "Adam  called  his  wife's 
name  Eve  because  she  was  the  mother  of  all  evil."  As 
Uncle  Dodson  often  wished  me  to  read  a  chapter  in  their 
chapel  meetings  "an'  'splaiu  it  to  us,"  I  took  occasion  to 
read  the  third  chapter  of  Genesis,  and  when  I  read, 


464  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"Because  she  was  the  mother  of  all  living,"  he  called  out 
"ebil,  ehil,  sistah  Hab'lin."  Uncle  Dodson  was  learning 
to  read,  and  could  read  easy  words  in  the  first  reader.  I 
placed  the  Bible  before  him  and  pointed  to  the  word 
"living."  "Dat  is  so  in  dis  place,"  he  acknowledged, 
"but  it's  some  place  in  de  Bible."  "Father  Dodsou,"  I 
said,  "I  have  read  every  word  in  this  Bible  a  number  of 
times,  and  there  is  no  such  sentence  between  the  two  lids 
that  Adam  called  his  wife's  name  Eve  because  she  was  the 
mother  of  all  evil,"  and  a  smile  ran  through  the  entire 
congregation.  I  added  that  it  was  not  a  wonder  that  these 
poor  people  should  misquote  Scripture,  as  a  few  months  ago 
many  of  them  were  not  allowed  to  learn  to  read.  At  this 
three  of  that  company  testified  to  being  punished  severely 
for  learning  their  letters  of  a  little  white  boy.  I  told  them 
it  was  a  greater  wonder  that  they  had  passed  through 
such  privations  and  retained  as  much  intelligence  as  they 
possessed.  "O  yes,  well  do  I  'member  when  I  was  punish* 
too,"  said  another,  "for  tryin'  to  learn  to  read."  Turning 
to  a  young  exhorter  sitting  by  him,  Uncle  Dodson  said, 
"Brodder  Davis,  I've  labored  in  de  Gospel  mor'n  forty 
years  wid  de  white  ministers  and  wid  de  black  ministers, 
an'  I  neber  foun'  one  so  deep  in  de  Scriptur'  as  sistah  Hab- 
'lin." We  continued  our  exercises  with  good  satisfaction. 

Another  of  Father  Dodson's  comforting  passages  was, 
"Blessed  is  the  corpse  that  the  rain  falls  on."  If  the  de- 
parted one  had  left  no  other  evidence  of  being  prepared 
for  the  great  change  than  a  rain  on  the  day  of  the  funeral, 
that  was  sufficient.  I  found  this  was  quite  generally  ac- 
cepted as  a  sure  evidence  with  many  of  them. 

As  I  was  passing  through  the  hospital  yard  a  number 
of  the  convalescents  were  in  a  group  discussing  the  subject 
of  charity,  thinking  that  some  one  had  been  too  harshly 
judged.  Said  one  man,  "Paul  said  faith,  hope,  and 
charity.  An'  de  greates'  of  'em  all  was  char'ty.  An'  I 
knows  what  a  bigger  man  nor  Paul  said,  better  man  too." 


HENRY    WIRTZ.  465 

"An'  who  dat,  an'  what  he  say?"  rejoined  another. 

"He  say,  'Judge  not  an'  ye  shan't  be  judged.'" 

"An'  who  said  dat?" 

"  'T  was  George  Washington." 

On  inquiry  I  found  his  parents  lived  many  years  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mount  Vernon,  and  probably  the  colored 
people  heard  George  Washington  repeat  that  text,  and  it 
was  handed  down  among  them  as  an  original  saying  of 
the  Father  of  his  Country,  in  their  minds  a  greater  and 
better  man  than  Paul. 

While  engaged  in  my  work,  as  the  weather  became 
very  warm,  I  often  rested  an  hour  or  two  in  the  capitol  to 
listen  to  the  many  witnesses  who  testified  to  the  awful 
condition  of  our  soldiers  at  Andersonville  Prison,  under 
Henry  Wirtz.  At  the  statement  made  concerning  his  stab- 
bing and  shooting  the  soldiers  for  leaning  against  the  "dead 
line,"  the  guilty  man,  Wirtz,  shook  as  he  arose  from  the 
sofa  upon  which  he  was  reclining,  and  swore  "that  was  a 
lie;"  but  General  Auger,  the  president  of  the  court,  told 
him  that  he  had  nothing  to  say,  and  bade  him  sit  down, 
which  he  did  with  cursing  in  great  excitement.  I  some- 
times spent  two  or  three  hours  in  listening  to  the  tale  of 
the  heartless  cruelties  that  unprincipled  wretch  had  com- . 
mitted.  One  woman,  whose  son  died  in  that  prison,  was 
listening  one  afternoon.  She  stood  in  the  corridor,  and  as 
he  passed  with  his  guards  for  the  ambulance,  which  was 
to  bear  him  back  to  the  prison,  she  followed  with  her  best 
weapon,  a  large  umbrella.  This  she  nimbly  used,  thrust- 
ing the  pointed  end  into  his  side  or  back,  or  wherever  she 
could  hit  him,  saying,  "You  rascal,  you  villain,  you  mur- 
derer, you  murdered  my  son  in  Andersonville."  Her 
thrusts  were  in  such  quick  succession  that  he  begged  the 
guards  to  protect  him;  but  they  did  not  interfere  with  the 
bereaved  woman  until  they  got  the  prisoner  into  the 
ambulance. 

While  I  did  not  feel  like  following  her  example  because 
31 


466  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  his  murdering  my  cousin,  yet  I  told  General  Auger 
that  it  was  well  for  Henry  Wirtz  that  his  case  was  not 
tried  by  mothers  and  sisters  of  the  thousands  who  had 
suffered  and  died  under  his  cruelties.  Said  the  general,  "  I 
do  not  know  but  it  would  be  the  best  thing  for  him  if 
mothers  and  sisters  were  his  judges."  But  if  they  were 
the  ones  to  give  the  decision,  justice  and  mercy  would  never 
kiss  each  other  over  him.  I  never  was  an  advocate  of 
capital  punishment,  but  I  must  acknowledge  I  did  feel 
at  times,  while  listening  to  Henry  Wirtz's  trial,  that  I 
would  like  to  see  that  tiger  in  human  form  take  a  hemp 
swing.  But  when  at  last  he  received  his  sentence  and 
swore  he  "always  thought  the  American  Eagle  was  a  d — 
buzzard,"  I  had  no  desire  to  mingle  with  the  multitude  to 
witness  the  execution,  though  he  well  deserved  the  exe- 
cration of  all. 

On  May  14th  I  received  a  note  from  Mrs.  Edgerton, 
stating  that  a  j>eremptory  order  from  Rev.  J.  R.  Shipherd, 
secretary  of  the  Americau  Missionary  Association  at  Chicago, 
had  been  received,  to  close  the  asylum  immediately.  From 
her  note  I  learned  that  this  was  the  day  for  the  auction  sale 
of  the  asylum  personal  property.  I  was  confident  that 
.  forty  or  fifty  little  folks  could  not  at  once  be  properly  sit- 
uated in  compliance  with  such  an  order,  and  wrote  J.  R. 
Shipherd  a  proposition,  reminding  him  of  his  verbal  pledge 
and  proposed  terms  on  which  we  could  reopen  the  asylum 
for  all  for  whom  no  suitable  homes  might  be  found.  I 
also  wrote  an  appeal  to  Rev.  Geo.  Whipple,  of  the  New 
York  Division,  and  sent  with  it  a  copy  of  the  proposition 
I  had  made  to  J.  R.  Shipherd.  I  received  in  reply  a  re- 
quest to  remit  to  that  division  the  reply  I  should  receive 
from  J.  R.  Shipherd,  or  a  copy,  by  the  first  mail,  for  they 
thought  my  proposition  would  be  accepted.  I  wrote  them 
they  should  have  whatever  reply  I  might  receive  from  J. 
R.  Shipherd,  but  I  did  not  look  for  any  word  whatever 
from  him.  In  the  mean  time  I  received  a  letter  from 


ORPHANS    SCATTERED.  467 

Adrian  informing  me  that  four  of  the  little  children  were 
already  in  the  county  poor-house,  and  that  others  would 
soon  be  taken  there;  that  four  of  the  younger  ones  were 
left  in  the  streets  of  Adrian  to  find  their  own  homes  among 
colored  people,  and  that  four  were  left  with  a  poor  colored 
family  who  were  promised  pay  for  keeping  them  until  other 
homes  could  be  found.  Four  more  were  also  left  with  a 
white  family  in  Palmyra,  with  the  promise  of  pay  until 
other  arrangements  were  made.  One  little  girl  of  ten 
years  was  left  with  a  woman  of  ill-fame  and  of  drinking 
habits,  and  the  little  girl  had  been  seen  drunk. 

I  wrote  to  Rev.  E.  M.  Cravath,  secretary  of  the  Middle 
Division,  at  Cincinnati,  and  to  Levi  Coffin,  and  learned 
in  reply  that  eight  of  the  little  children  were  found  one 
morning  sitting  on  the  stone  steps  of  the  office  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association,  with  a  note  in  the  hand 
of  the  oldest,,  aged  ten  or  eleven  years,  the  purport  of 
which  was,  "  These  children  were  sent  by  you  to  the  asy- 
lum near  Adrian,  Michigan.  It  has  closed.  Yon  must 
take  care  of  them."  They  said  that  Mrs.  Edgerton  brought 
them  from  the  asylum,  and  sent  them  here  in  the  express 
wagon.  The  office  being  locked,  the  driver  left  them  on 
the  steps  at  6  o'clock  A.  M.  As  they  had  eaten  nothing 
during  the  night,  Levi  Coffin  furnished  them  with  food, 
while  Rev.  E.  M.  Cravath  went  to  the  colored  orphan  asy- 
lum of  the  city,  and  made  arrangements  by  paying  the 
board  of  managers  one  hundred  dollars  for  their  admit- 
tance. The  letter  from  Levi  Coffin  contained  the  follow- 
ing queries:  "What  ails  Michigan,  that  she  can  not  care 
for  thirty  or  forty  of  these  poor  little  homeless  orphans, 
when  we  have  had  a  few  thousands  to  look  after  in  this 
great  thoroughfare?  Where  is  the  Christianity  and  phi- 
lanthropy of  your  great  State,  to  send  these  children  back 
to  us,  who  took  them  from  those  crowded  camps,  where 
there  was  so  much  suffering  and  dying,  for  the  purpose  of 
their  being  properly  trained,  and  fitted  for  usefulness,  amid 


468  A  WOMAN'S  IJFE-WORK. 

humane  surroundings?"  They  soon  found  the  whys  and 
wherefores  in  my  letter  and  appeal  to  allow  the  asylum  to 
be  reopeued. 

After  writing  a  number  of  letters  to  the  New  York 
Division,  containing  a  full  account  of  the  condition  of  the 
children,  and  sending  them  a  copy  of  the  letter  from 
Adrian,  I  inquired  whether  as  a  Christian  body  they 
could  allow  these  children  over  whom  they  had  assumed 
control,  and  for  whom  they  were  responsible,  to  be  turned 
out  into  the  streets,  to  be  lodged  in  the  county  poor-house, 
and  to  be  left  in  the  house  of  ill-fame,  and  appealed  to 
them  as  Christian  men  to  make  some  suitable  arrangements 
for  them.  Their  reply  was:  "We  can  not  afford  to  allow 
this  condition  of  those  children.  AVe  have  not  received  a 
communication  in  this  office  that  has  produced  the  deep 
feeling  that  your  last  letter  has.  We  have  telegraphed 
Mr.  Shipherd  to  dispose  of  nothing  more  connected  with 
that  asylum.  How  long  would  it  be  before  it  could  be  re- 
opened, should  we  replace  it  in  the  hands  of  its  friend?" 
I  answered,  "  It  shall  be  re-opened  as  soon  as  1  receive 
official  authority  from  your  association  to  do  it,  and  I  will 
resign  my  position  in  this  work."  In  reply  to  this,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  a  member  of  the  New  York  Division, 
came  to  Washington  and  authorized  me  to  secure  a  part 
of  the  asylum  building,  and  reopen  it  for  the  children  that 
were  in  improper  houses.  I  secured  a  pass  by  way  of  Cin- 
cinnati, in  accordance  with  the  request  of  Levi  Coffin  and 
Rev.  E.  M.  Cravath,  of  the  Middle  Division.  They  had 
secured  good  homes  for  two  of  the  children.  I  took  the 
others  home. 

The  secretaries  and  a  few  other  members  of  the  three 
divisions  met  in  Oberlin  to  consider  further  concerning  the 
asylum  that  had  been  so  unwisely  closed.  At  the  close 
of  this  consultation  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Whipple, 
of  New  York,  in  which  he  stated  that  there  was  much 
sympathy  expressed  for  me  in  behalf  of  the  asylum  by  all 


ASYLUM    REOPENED.  469 

except  Mr.  Shipherd,  who  said  he  had  done  nothing  of 
which  I  or  any  one  else  had  any  right  to  complain.  He 
was  ordered  to  return  twenty-three  boxes  and  packages  of 
asylum  goods  to  me,  as  I  was  acting  under  their  orders  in 
reopening  the  home ;  and  they  sent  me  fifty  dollars  for 
supplies.  I  gathered  in  between  twenty-five  and  thirty 
children  that  had  previously  belonged  to  the  home,  and 
bought  back  what  furniture  I  could  that  had  been  sold  at 
a  great  sacrifice.  The  corporation  of  the  reorganized  asso- 
ciation appointed  me  general  superintendent  of  the  asylum, 
and  engaged  me  to  devote  my  whole  time  to  it. 

Although  to  provide  means  to  carry  it  on  was  no  small 
task,  yet  the  burden  to  me  seemed  light  compared  with  its 
importance.  It  had  c^st  great  anxiety  and  effort  to  ac- 
complish what  we  had  already  done.  I  secured  a  horse, 
repaired  the  buggy,  and  employed  our  soldier,  Charlie 
Taft,  whose  health  was  much  impaired  from  service  in  the 
army.  He  offered  to  spend  the  Winter  with  us,  and  ren- 
der what  assistance  he  could,  for  his  board.  Just  now 
our  prospects  were  brighter  than  at  any  period  since  Raisin 
Institute  was  converted  into  a  home  for  homeless  little 
people,  to  train  for  useful  citizens,  instead  of  tramps,  or 
inmates  of  prisons. 

But,  alas!  we  were  doomed  to  a  heavy  draft  upon  our 
faith.  After  a  very  busy  day  of  measuring,  cutting,  and 
fitting  garments  for  the  little  ones,  I  went  in  haste  to  place 
a  bundle  of  patches  in  the  box  in  the  hall  room.  It  was 
now  dark  twilight,  and  I  mistook  the  cellar  door  for  that 
of  the  hall.  Passing  through,  I  fell  headlong  seven  feet 
against  the  corner  of  a  hard-wood  beam.  I  received  many 
bruises,  and  the  concussion  fractured  both  the  inner  and 
outer  layers  of  the  left  temporal  bone,  and  severed  the 
temporal  artery.  I  was  taken  up  insensible,  and  it  was 
supposed  that  life  was  extinct;  but  in  a  few  moments 
signs  of  life  appeared,  and  a  physician  was  immediately 
sent  for.  Great  consternation  prevailed  among  the  chil- 


470  A  WOMAN'S  I.IFK-WORTC. 

dren,  and  much  sympathy  was  expressed,  as  well  as  many 
prayers  offered  by  them  in  my  behalf. 

Brother  Smart,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Adrian,  was  then  holding  a  series  of  meetings;  and  be- 
ing told  of  the  accident  at  the  evening  meeting,  he  said : 
"  Elder  Jacokes  informs  me  that  sister  Haviland  is  sup- 
posed to  be  in  a  dying  state  from  a  dangerous  fall  in  the 
orphan  asylum  this  evening.  I  projxxse  to  pursue  my  sub- 
ject no  further,  but  to  turn  this  meeting  into  a  season  of 
prayer  for  her  restoration,  if  in  accordance  with  the  Lord's 
will ;  if  not,  that  her  mantle  may  fall  upon  another,  to 
carry  forward  that  enterprise.  The  Lord  can  hear  and 
answer  here  as  readily  as  by  her  bedside."  He  then  led  in 
fervent  supplication,  followed  by^j.  few  others.  Said  a 
friend  present:  "The  announcement  fell  upon  us  like  an 
electric  shock,  and  I  never  heard  brother  Smart,  or  those 
who  followed,  pray  with  such  power.  Then  brother  Bird 
arose  and  said,  '  I  feel  confident  that  we  shall  have  an 
answer  to  our  prayers,  that  sister  Haviland  will  be  re- 
stored or  another  take  her  place.'" 

My  dear  sister  in  Christ,  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock,  was  at 
that  time  laboring  in  the  Master's  vineyard  in  Chicago. 
Hearing  of  the  accident  by  means  of  the  telegram  sent  to 
my  daughter  residing  in  that  city,  she  mentioned  it  at  the 
Moody  noon  prayer-meeting,  and  requested  prayer  for  my 
restoration,  if  it  were  the  Lord's  will.  I  was  made  the 
subject  of  prayer  also  at  Pittsford  Wesleyan  Methodist 
protracted  meeting. 

A  letter  came  from  Rev.  E.  M.,  Cravath,  of  Cincinnati, 
addressed  to  me,  in  answer  to  my  daughter,  L.  J.  Brownell, 
who  wrote  that  "  mother  is  unconscious  from  a  dangerous 
fall,  and  we  (her  children)  are  earnestly  praying  for  her 
restoration.  If  our  Heavenly  Father  sees  meet  to  grant 
our  petition,  you  will  receive  a  reply  from  her  when  prac- 
ticable." The  immediate  reply  was:  "You  may  rest  as- 
sured our  All*  wise  Father  will  restore  your  mother  if  he 


RECOVERING.  471 

has  further  work  for  her  to  do.  ^Tou  may  also  be  assured 
that  her  friends  in  this  city  are  uniting  in  prayer  with  her 
children  for  her  recovery." 

I  was  so  nearly  conscious  at  one  time  that  I  heard  some 
one  say,  "She  will  never  speak  again."  The  thought  struck 
me  forcibly  that  I  was  going  to  get  well,  and  yet  I  had  no 
sense  of  being  ill.  But  I  reflected  that  my  children  must  be 
very  sad  at  the  thought  of  giving  me  up,  and  I  would  try 
to  say,  "I  am  going  to  get  well."  With  all  the  effort  I 
could  command  I  could  not  utter  a  syllable.  Then  I  tried 
to  see  if  my  children  were  present;  but  I  seemed  to  be  in 
a  pure,  soft,  white  cloud,  such  as  we  sometimes  sec  floating 
in  the  ethereal  blue,  where  I  could  discover  no  countenance 
of  those  moving  around  my  bed.  Consequently  I  gave 
over  the  effort,  and  was  again  lost  to  all  consciousness  until 
three  days  and  nights  had  passed.  Then  the  first  returning 
consciousness  was  the  passing  away  of  that  beautiful  white 
cloud,  and  I  recognized  my  three  daughters  standing  before 
me.  One  of  them  said,  "Mother  looks  as  if  she  knew 
us."  Why,  yes,  I  thought,  they  are  my  daughters ;  but 
what  are  their  names?  and  what  is  my  name?  Then  I 
surveyed  the  room.  The  papered  wall,  maps,  pictures,  and 
furniture  all  looked  familiar;  but  where  am  I?  Am  I  in 
some  large  city,  or  in  a  country  place  ?  I  am  advanced  in 
years;  and  what  have  I  done  in  all  my  life?  But  I  could 
recall  nothing. 

While  in  this  mental  soliloquy,  it  came  to  me  what  my 
name  was,  and  that  this  was  the  orphan  asylum. 

"Do  you  know  me,  mother?"  said  my  daughter  Jane. 

It  was  a  matter  of  reflection  before  I  could  utter  the 
word  "yes,"  and  then  a  study  to  give  her  name.  At  leiigth 
I  pronounced  it.  Another  daughter  made  the  same  query, 
and  I  had  the  answer,  "yes,"  ready,  but  it  seemed  a  hard 
study  again  to  recollect  the  name  Mira.  The  same  effort 
brought  to  my  lips  the  name  of  Esther  when  she  ad- 
dressed me. 


472  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

"Don't  have  the  least  anxiety  or  care,"  she  said, 
"about  this  orphan  asylum,  for  the  friends  have  brought 
grain,  flour,  meal,  meat,  and  groceries  in  abundance."  O 
what  a  relief  these  words  brought!  Surely  the  Lord  is 
the  Father  of  the  fatherless. 

After  studying  for  words  I  said,  "  What  is  the  matter?" 
for  I  felt  that  my  head  was  very  sore,  and  my  face  swol- 
len. When  told  that  I  had  fallen  down  cellar  and  was 
badly  hurt,  I  was  surprised,  for  I  could  recall  nothing  of 
the  fall.  After  calling  to  mind  the  various  residences  of 
my  daughters,  and  words  to  inquire  how  they  knew  of  the 
accident,  I  was  told  that  my  son-in-law  telegraphed  them. 
A'J  length  I  reached  the  conclusion  that  I  became  stunned 
by  the  bruise  on  my  head,  and  fell  asleep  and  slept  my 
senses  all  away,  and  that  was  the  reason  I  did  not  know 
any  thing.  I  thought,  must  I  learn  to  read  again?  Shall  I 
ever  know  any  thing?  How  sad  it  will  be  not  to  know  how 
to  read  or  do  any  thing;  but  I  will  leave  all  in  the  hands  of 
the  dear  Savior.  They  gave  me  medicine  that  I  knew  I 
had  taken.  Did  I  not  take  this  an  hour  ago?  "O  no, 
mother,  not  since  yesterday."  What  day  of  the  week  is 
to-day?  "Monday."  Then  to-morrow  will  be  Tuesday. 
"Yes."  I  have  got  so  far,  I  will  remember  that,  thought 
I.  Again  another  dose  of  medicine  was  given.  Did  I  take 
this  yesterday?  "You  took  this  two  hours  ago."  It  is 
certain  that  I  do  not  know  any  thing.  How  sad  it  will  be 
when  I  get  well  of  this  hurt  (as  I  had  no  doubt  but  I 
should)  and  not  know  any  thing.  But,  then,  the  second 
thought  of  leaving  it  with  the  Lord  was  a  resting-place. 
But  consciousness  was  gradually  restored.  The  next  day 
my  sou  Daniel  came;  but  he  did  not  dare  to  approach  the 
front  door,  fearing  that  a  tie  of  crape  on  the  knob  would 
be  the  first  to  tell  him  the  sad  story  of  his  mother's  depart- 
ure. He  was  met  at  the  back  door  by  his  three  sisters, 
one  of  whom  informed  him  of  a  faint  hope  of  my  recovery, 
as  there  was  evidence  of  returning  consciousness.  A  day 


RESTORED    TO    HEALTH.  473 

later  the  fourth  daughter,  Anna  H.  Camburn,  arrived.  I 
was  thus  permitted  to  meet  all  ray  children  save  one, 
whose  infant  son  had  died  the  day  after  the  news  reached 
him  of  my  fall.  But  as  the  children  daily  informed  their 
brother  Joseph  of  increasing  hope  of  my  recovery,  he,  of 
my  six  children,  was  the  only  absent  one.  Through  their 
tender  care  and  the  blessing  of  God,  in  answer  to  many 
earnest  prayers,  I  was  spared  to  toil  on  a  few  years  longer. 
To  him  alone  be  all  the  praise !  My  Savior  never  seemed 
nearer. 

It  was  January,  15,  1869,  when  I  fully  realized  that 
consciousness  was  restored.  I  renewed  my  entire  consecra- 
tion to  the  service  of  my  Lord  and  Master.  All  was  peace 
and  quiet  within.  The  inmates  of  the  asylum,  between 
twenty-five  and  thirty,  were  so  quiet  that  it  seemed  as  if 
no  more  than  my  own  children  were  moving  around  me; 
During  the  second  week,  through  my  dear  friend  Elizabeth 
L.  Comstock,  seventy-five  dollars  was  sent  to  us  from 
friends  in  Chicago.  A  few  days  later  thirty  dollars  came 
from  the  same  city.  The  fourth  week  after  the  fall  I  was 
removed  to  my  home  in  the  city  of  Adrian,  accompanied 
by  my  five  children,  three  of  whom  then  returned  to  their 
homes.  In  four  months  I  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be 
able  to  do  moderate  asylum  work,  and  in  one  year  I  solic- 
ited and  received  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  asylum, 
aside  from  the  means  sent  during  my  inability  to  labor. 
This  kept  the  asylum  in  supplies,  we  hardly  knew  how, 
only  as  it  came  from  the  Father  of  the  fatherless.  Within 
ten  days  after  my  arrival  at  home  I  received  three  checks 
of  fifty  dollars  each  from  the  Cincinnati  Branch  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association,  from  the  Friends'  Sab- 
bath-school, in  Syracuse,  New  York,  and  from  John  Stan- 
ton,  Washington,  D.  C. 

In  all  this  severe  trial  I  had  no  regrets  in  making  this 
scheme  another  specialty  in  my  life-work.  I  visited  nine 
county^  poor-houses,  learning  the  number  of  children  in 


474  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

each,  and  noting  their  condition,  with  the  view  of  reporting 
to  our  next  Legislature.  In  three  of  the  county  houses 
were  girls,  half  idiotic,  who  had  become  mothers.  In  one 
there  were  twenty  children  of  school-age,  sent  to  school  four 
hours  each  day.  As  I  followed  the  matron  through  the 
dormitory  and  other  parts  of  the  house,  I  saw  by  the  filthy 
appearance  of  the  sheets  and  pillows,  as  well  as  a  want  of 
order  generally,  a  great  need  of  system.  As  I  was  about 
to  leave  I  remarked  to  the  matron,  "  You  have  many  un- 
pleasant tasks  to  perform  here." 

"  La  me,  I  guess  we  do,"  she  said. 
"You  have  plenty  of  vermin  to  deal  with,  I  suppose?" 
"Indeed  we  do.     You  can  scrape  up  quarts  of  'em." 
I  added  her  testimony  to  my  report.     Then,  after  vis- 
iting many  of    the  infirmaries  on   April  6th,  I  attended 
meetings  of  our  county  supervisors  and  superintendent  of 
the  poor.     I  reported  our  work,  and  presented  an  order 
for  dues  for  the  previous  mouth.     Having  arranged  my 
monthly  report,  I  presented  it  to  the  monthly  meeting  of 
our  asylum  association. 

I  retired  weary,  and  awoke  to  see  Dr.  Pearsall  about 
to  leave  my  room.  He  was  giving  directions  to  my  two 
anxious  daughters.  To  my  surprise  my  son-in-law  remarked, 
"  Mother  is  so  much  better,  I  will  return  home."  Here 
was  a  mystery  I  was  unable  to  solve,  and  I  insisted  on 
knowing  why  the  doctor  was  there,  now  nearly  2  o'clock  in 
•the  morning.  I  was  informed  that  I  had  suffered  an 
attack  of  apoplexy.  I  was  not  the  least  startled,  but 
told  them  if  I  had  had  a  fit  of  that  character,  I  was 
liable  to  go  at  any  time,  and  I  wished  to  say  a  few  things 
and  then  I  would  sleep :  If  I  should  be  taken  away  in  an 
unconscious  state  for  them  not  to  have  the  least  uneasiness 
about  me,  as  my  way  was  clear.  I  wished  my  children  to 
live  nearer  the  Savior,  and  meet  their  mother  in  a  fairer 
clime  than  this,  and  I  requested  them  to  tell  my  dear 
absent  children  the  same.  I  then  directed  how  my  little 


APOPLEXY.  47") 

effects  should  be  divided  among  my  six  children,  aiid  rested 
well  in  sleep  until  the  usual  hour  of  waking,  and  was  able 
to  dress  in  the  afternoon. 

Within  ten  days  I  rode  to  the  asylum,  made  arrange- 
ments to  rent  the  land  of  the  asylum  farm  for  the  coming 
season,  and  wrote  to  brother  G.  A.  Olmstead  to  take  my 
place  in  looking  after  its  interests  for  a  few  months,  as  my 
physicians  told  me  it  was  unsafe  for  me  to  continue  mental 
labor,  and  I  must  rest  at  least  six  mouths.  This  was  another 
heavy  drawback  upon  our  faith  and  work,  as  we  had  de- 
signed to  circulate  our  petition  during  the  remainder  of  the 
year,  so  as  to  have  it  ready  to  present  to  the  next  Legisla- 
ture. Rev.  G.  A.  Olmstead  undertook  the  work  of  solic- 
iting, and  kept  the  asylum  comfortably  supplied  until  his 
health  failed.  Then  a  devoted  and  self-sacrificing  sister, 
Catharine  Taylor,  took  the  field,  while  I  spent  six  months 
visiting  my  children.  The  severest  prescription  I  ever  took 
from  a  physician,  was  to  think  f>f  nothing.  But  I  succeeded 
admirably,  and  spent  much  time  in  drawing  bits  of  clip- 
pings and  rags  of  diverse  colors  through  canvas,  making 
domestic  rugs  for  each  of  my  children.  I  called  upon 
various  physicians,  who  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  I 
could  safely  accomplish  one-fourth  of  my  former  work,  but 
I  did  not  even  reach  that  amount  of  labor.  In  a  little  over 
a  month's  work,  with  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  in  my 
pocket,  and  at  the  home  of  Ansou  Backus  and  wife,  I  was 
taken  with  another  midnight  fit,  and  was  much  longer 
unconscious  than  before,  but  I  returned  home  the  follow- 
ing afternoon,  accompanied  by  brother  Backus.  Twenty- 
five  miles  ride  on  the  car  and  a  mile  in  the  hack  did  not 
improve  the  strange  pressure  in  my  head.  Within  a  week 
I  had  five  terrible  spasms,  Casting  at  times  from  five  to 
twenty  minutes;  during  consciousness  I  was  not  able  to 
speak  a  word.  When  I  appeared  more  comfortable,  and 
my  head  .more  natural,,  greater  hopes  of  my  recovery  were 
entertained  by  my  physician  and  children. 


476  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

I  thought  these  fits  were  faintiiigs;  for  I  felt  as  if  I 
had  waked  out  of  sleep  each  time.  But  the  purple  finger- 
nails on  the  last  day  led  me  to  suppose  that  I  would  die 
in  one  of  these  faints.  Between  the  fits  I  most  earnestly 
prayed  that,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  I  might  be  re- 
stored to  work  for  him  a  little  longer ;  but,  if  otherwise, 
I  would  praise  him  still  for  taking  me  over  the  beautiful 
river.  O  what  a  mistake  to  call  it  a  dark,  deep  river, 
when  it  is  only  a  bright,  rippling  stream,  just  across  which 
all  is  peace  and  joy  for  evermore !  This  was  the  constant 
breathing  of  my  soul  all  day;  and  it  vividly  flashed  upon 
my  mind  that  fifteen  years  were  added  to  Hezekiah's  life 
in  answer  to  prayer.  This  prayer,  followed  by  these  words, 
ran  through  my  mind  during  all  that  happy  day.  Can 
death,  that  is  called  the  last  enemy,  look  pleasant?  It  did 
look  pleasant  to  me.  Praise  filled  my  soul. 

That  day  will  never  be  forgotten  as  long  as  memory 
and  reason  endure.  In  the  evening  I  slept  three  minutes, 
they  said,  by  the  watch,  and  when  I  awoke  I  could  talk 
as  easily  as  ever.  From  that  day  I  improved  in  health. 
These  spasms  were  caused  by  the  pressure  of  blood  in  re- 
opening the  temporal  artery,  or  forcing  its  way  through  a 
new  channel.  I  again  received  the  tenderest  of  nursing 
on  the  part  of  my  four  daughters,  and  praise  is  due  only 
to  him  who  is  the  prayer-hearing  God.  With  the  fervent 
prayers  of  that  memorable  day  come  the  words  of  the 
poet: 

"  'Tis  a  glorious  boon  to  die, 
A  favor  that  can  't  be  prized  too  high  ;" 

because  of  an  abundant  entrance  to  be  administered  to  us 
into  the  glorious  mansions  prepared  by  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
ior Jesus  Christ. 


ORPHAN    ASYLUM.  477 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL." 

As  already  noted,  my  health  gave  way,  as  did  also  that 
of  our  worthy  agent,  Catherine  Taylor.  She  endured  great 
suffering  from  inflammation  of  the  sciatic  nerve,  and  was  en- 
tirely disabled  from  labor  for  months.  Late  in  the  Autumn 
our  supplies  ran  very  low,  and  our  self-sacrificing  president 
was  also  in  poor  health.  She,  with  a  few  other  members  of 
the  board,  visited  the  asylum,  and  found  nothing  on  hand 
but  corn-meal  and  turnips,  which,  with  a  little  milk  that  was 
made  into  a  gravy,  was  all  there  was  to  keep  the  children 
from  starving.  Our  president  ran  in  debt  twenty-six  dol- 
lars at  the  mill  and  grocery ;  but  on  Thanksgiving -day  a 
collection  of  sixty-six  dollars  was  taken  for  the  asylum. 
This  liquidated  the  debt,  and  furnished  the  necessary  food 
for  the  time  being.  But  Winter  was  approaching,  and  the 
failing  health  of  the  workers  seemed  to  forebode  the  neces- 
sity of  closing  our  asylum  work. 

Mrs.  Catherine  Rice  corresponded  with  friends  of  the 
work  in  Grand  Rapids,  asking  them  to  unite  with  us  in  a 
petition  to  the  State  Legislature  to  establish  a  State  manual 
labor  school  in  Grand  Rapids,  as  the  friends  in  that  city 
were  arranging  for.  a  local  orphan  asylum.  The  subject 
was  discussed  in  the  board,  but  a  small  majority  voted 
against  uniting  their  local  interests  with  the  State  work. 
During  this  time,  all  new  material  sent  in  for  clothing  was 
exchanged  for  food,  and  Jane  A.  Smith  and  our*  faithful 
teacher  applied  to  a  few  friends  and  received  temporary  aid. 
On  December  15,  1870,  we  found  the  provisions  too  short 
to  last  for  two  weeks.  The  question  came  up,  What  shall 
be  done  for  the  twenty  children  for  whom  no  homes  are 


478  A   WOMAN'S  TAFK-WOUK. 

provided?  Under  the  circumstances,  there  seemed  no  al- 
ternative but  to  return  the  children  to  their  respective 
county  infirmaries.  When  this  decision  was  reached  by  the 
board  of  managers,  and  made  known  to  the  matron  and 
teacher,  on  the  evening  of  their  week-day  prayer-meeting, 
the  matron  informed  the  children  of  it.  Eleven  of  them 
had  made  a  profession  of  religion,  and  had  given  evidence 
of  .having  found  Him  who  said,  "  Suffer  little  children  to 
come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not."  Each  of  these  offered 
earnest  prayer  for  God  to  help  them  live  so  faithfully  that 
he  would  make  friends  for  them,  to  bring  them  something 
to  eat,  "so  we  won't  have  to  go  back  to  the  county  poor- 
house." 

All  this  time  my  children  and  friends  had  not  allowed 
me  to  know  the  condition  of  the  asylum.  Our  firm  friend, 
Rebecca  Bennett,  and  our  president  called  on  my  physician 
to  ask  permission  to  see  me  for  advice  as  to  whom  they 
could  write  for  aid.  He  replied,  "  With  your  calm  and 
judicious  manner,  I  can  risk  you."  But  they  came  far 
short  of  making  a  full  revelation  of  the  true  state  of 
things.  I  advised  them  to  write  the  superintendent  of  the 
Congregationalist  Sabbath-school  at  Franklin  Center,  and 
to  the  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Te- 
cumseh.  They  proposed  that  I  should  dictate  to  my 
daughter  what  to  write.  This  was  done,  and  my  appeal 
was  read  in  their  respective  congregations.  Within  a  week 
two  sleigh-loads,  containing  grain,  flour,  meal,  and  beef, 
and  a  whole  dressed  sheep,  came  from  those  places.  The 
drivers  rolled  in  barrel  after  barrel  from  each  of  the 
sleighs,  and  said  they  would  bring  more  before  this  was 
gone.  One  little  boy  of  eleven  years  said : 

"  Mrs.  Smith,  do  n't  you  think  God  sent  all  this  'cause 
we  prayed  so  hard  the  other  night?" 

"My  child,"  she  answered,  "the  Lord  has  heard  our 
prayers,  and  has  answered  ;  and,  although  it  is  snowing 
hard,  yet  you  must  hurry,  and  hitch  Jack  to  the  buggy  as 


PETITION    TO    THE    LEGISLATURE.  479 

quick  as  possible,  so  that  we  can  let  Mrs.  Havilaud  know 
this ;  for  I  have  been  afraid  she  has  been  worse  since  she 
learned  we  were  so  nearly  out." 

Soon  she  came  into  my  room  with  the  glad  tidings: 
"Do  not  take  another  anxious  thought  over  our  asylum. 
We  had  more  supplies  come  to  us  to-day  than  we  have 
had  for  two  months — two  heavy  sleigh-loads."  We  clasped 
each  others'  hands  and  wept  for  joy,  and  praised  God, 
from  whom  all  blessings  flow. 

This  news  revived  the  spirits  of  those  whose  hands  were 
hanging  down,  and  gave  them  courage  to  reappoint  offi- 
cers. Rev.  Dr.  Asa  Mahau's  wife  served  as  president, 
with  other  officers,  duly  elected.  A  petition  to  the  Legis- 
lature was  drafted  and  industriously  circulated,  and  printed 
copies  were  sent  to  a  number  of  the  superintendents  of  coun- 
ties who  had-  favored  our  project.  Though  the  Legislature 
was  in  session,  and  there  was  not  time  to  circulate  it  as  ex- 
tensively as  desirable,  yet  Dr.  Mahan  and  others  thought 
it  might  succeed,  although  there  were  heavy  drafts  upon 
our  Legislature  of  1870-71.  The  State  Prison  was  to  be 
enlarged,  the  Insane  Asylum  to  be  improved,  and  additions 
to  Ann  Arbor  University  made,  while  there  were  still 
other  calls  for  appropriations.  All  these  made  the  success 
of  our  scheme  look  doubtful  to  many.  All  1  could  do  was  to 
continue  in  prayer  that  senators  and  representatives  might 
feel  the  importance  of  looking  after  the  pressing  wants  of 
our  future  men  and  women,  soon  to  fill  our  vacated  places. 
I  found  many  children  in  the  county  poor-house  through 
the  debauchery  of  their  fathers,  and  occasionally  mothers. 

The  improvement,  both  in  conduct  and  in  morals,  of 
the  neglected  little  waifs  whom  we  had  gathered  into  our 
asylum,  urged  us  on  in  our  work ;  for  we  realized  that  our 
experiment  was  a  success.  Our  friends  were  thus  encour- 
aged to  press  forward  with  the  petition. 

Dr.  Mahan  and  his  wife,  our  president,  went  before  the 
Legislature  with  the  view  of  pressing  our  claims.  Mem- 


480  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

bers  of  the  Senate  and  House  proposed  to  grant  Dr.  Mahan 
one  evening  in  representing  the  project,  and  left  it  in  the 
hands  of  the  Committee  on  Petitions.  Senator  Randall, 
of  Coldwater,  put  it  in  the  form  of  a  bill  that  covered  the 
spirit  and  requests  of  the  petition.  Being  chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Bills,  he  presented  it  in  the  Senate.  It  was 
passed  in  that  body,  to  our  great  joy,  and  soon  after  was 
passed  in  the  House,  and  received  the  governor's  signature, 
making  it  a  law. 

Though  only  thirty  thousand  dollars  were  appropriated 
by  the  Legislature  with  which  to  commence  operations, 
yet  I  knew  the  State  would  carry  on  the  work  hereafter. 
The  site  for  the  new  asylum  was  to  be  selected  at  whatever 
desirable  locality  offered  the  most  liberal  donation.  As 
Coldwater  offered  thirty  thousand  dollars  toward  the  new 
enterprise,  it  was  located  in  that  city.  While  the  build- 
ings for  the  State  school  were  being  erected,  our  asylum 
was  moved  into  the  city  of  Adrian,  as  at  that  point  it  was 
more  convenient  for  the  sisters  composing  the  board  of 
managers  to  care  for  it.  When  the  ' '  State  Public  School " 
should  be  opened,  all  in  our  asylum  not  provided  with 
homes  were  to  be  transferred  to  it. 

My  health  improved  sufficiently  to  enable  me  to  make 
a  few  appeals  to  bring  up  arrears  in  our  work.  The  ma- 
tron and  myself  had  received  but  very  little,  as  all  went 
to  the  support  of  the  children.  I  cared  but  little  for  my- 
self; but  for  sister  Smith,  who  had  been  such  a  faithful 
mother  to  these  poor  children,  I  was  more  anxious.  At 
length  I  secured  permission  of  my  tender  care-takers — my 
two  daughters — to  go  among  my  friends  in  Detroit.  To 
most  of  them  I  appealed  by  letter,  and  made  but  one  per- 
sonal call.  That  was  more  particularly  in  the  interest  of 
a  prisoner  for  whom  I  solicited  a  pardon.  This  was  at 
length  granted.  Governor  Baldwin  had  known  of  my 
asylum  work,  and  inquired  after  its  interests.  He  gave 
me  twenty  dollars  towards  it.  Mr.  Crapo's  son  gave  me 


32 


STATE  prm,ir  SCHOOL.  481 

twenty-five  dollars,  and  Captain  E.  B.  Ward  fifty  dollars. 
Others  responded  to  my  letters,  and  I  obtained  over  two 
hundred  dollars. 

The  great  fires  in  Chicago  and  Northern  Michigan 
stopped  further  work  of  this  character ;  but  we  did  what 
we  could  toward  canceling  arrearages,  being  confident  that 
were  it  not  for  the  continued  and  faithful  toiling  of  Jane 
A.  Smith  the  asylum  would  have  died  during  my  long  and 
serious  illness.  It  must  have  died,  even  after  its  removal 
to  Adrian,  had  it  not  been  for  a  faithful  few. 

A  few  months  after  the  State  Public  School  was  opened 
at  Cold  water,  in  charge  of  Professor  Truesdell,  superintend- 
ent, and  Miss  Emma  A.  Hall,  matron.  I  went  into  the 
school  as  seamstress  and  nurse,  and  remained  there  nearly 
two  years.  Instead  of  overhauling,  cutting,  and  making 
over  second-hand  clothes  for  the  three  hundred  little  home- 
less waifs  we  had  cared  for  in  our  orphans'  home,  we  were 
now  well  supplied  with  bolts  of  substantial  newr  material, 
out  of  which  we  made  comfortable  bedding  and  clothing. 
Here  we  had  no  care  about  furnishing,  and  no  anxious 
fear  for  their  support.  With  pleasure  we  saw  the  vast 
contrast  in  conveniences  and  supplies  compared  with  our 
little  rill  in  which  we  so  long  paddled  our  own  canoe,  and 
in  which  faithful  laborers  were  still  at  work.  It  matters 
not  by  whom  this  great  work  was  accomplished;  it  matters 
not  by  what  agencies  our  prayer  of  more  than  four  years 
long,  previous  to  the  adopting  of  this  work  by  the  State, 
was  answered.  Through  an  overruling  power  clouds  and 
icebergs  vanished,  and  in  lieu  thereof  the  massive  brick 
buildings  of  the  State  Public  School  in  Coldwater  Averc 
raised,  instead  of  the  old  Raisin  Institute,  where  it  drew 
its  first  breath. 

In  1872  I  returned  to  my  Adrian  home,  and,  as  the 
spirit  of  missions  became  an  increasing  element  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends,  I  became  again  a  member  of  that  branch 
of  the  Church  of  Christ. 


482  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WOKK. 


CHAPTER  XVIII.' 

PRESENT  CONDITION  OF  THE  FREEDMEN. 

OUR  investigations  have  proved  to  the  friends  of  the 
former  slaves  that  their  emigration  from  the  South  was  not 
instituted  and  put  into  operation  by  their  own  choice,  ex- 
cept as  the  force  of  circumstances,  in  their  surroundings, 
pressed  them  into  this  remarkable  movement.  Monthly 
reports  of  the  Kansas  Freedmeu's  Relief  Association  have 
also  proved  satisfactory  to  thousands  of  donors  toward  their 
relief.  The  increasing  intelligence  among  the  four  millions 
and  a  half  of  slaves,  declared  free  by  the  nation's  pen  in 
the  hand  of  her  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  they  found 
did  not  bring  with  it  the  glorious  sunlight  of  freedom  the 
proclamation  promised  in  its  dawn.  After  fifteen  years 
of  patient  hoping,  waiting,  and  watching  for  the  shaping 
of  government,  they  saw  clearly  that  their  future  condition 
as  a  race  must  be  submissive  vassalage,  a  Avar  of  races,  or 
emigration.  Circulars  were  secretly  distributed  among 
themselves,  until  the  conclusion  was  reached  to  wend  their 
way  northward,  as  their  former  masters'  power  had  again 
become  tyrannous.  This  power  they  were  and  are  made 
to  see  and  feel  most  keenly  in  many  localities,  a  few  inci- 
dents will  show. 

Elder  Perry  Bradley  left  Carthage,  Leek  County,  Mis- 
sissippi, in  January,  1880,  and  testifies  to  the  following 
facts : 

"  In  October,  1879,  twenty-five  or  thirty  masked  men 
went  into  Peter  Watson's  house,  and  took  him  from  his 
bed,  amid  screams  of  'murder'  from  his  wife  and  seven 
children;  but  the  only  reply  the  wife  and  children  received 
at  the  hands  of  the  desperadoes  was  a  beating.  Their  boy 


INCIDENTS.  483 

of  twelve  years  knocked  one  down  with  a  chair.  While 
the  fighting  was  going  on  within,  and  in  their  efforts  to 
hold  their  victim  outside,  he  wrenched  himself  from  their 
grasp — leaving  his  shirt  in  their  hands — and  ran  through 
the  woods  to  my  house,  around  which  colored  men  gath- 
ered and  protected  him.  Although  twelve  gnu-shots  fol- 
lowed him  in  the  chase,  yet  none  hit  him.  By  the  aid 
of  friends  he  took  the  first  train  he  could  reach,  which,  to 
his  surprise,  took  him  twenty-five  miles  southward,  instead 
of  in  a  northern  direction.  At  Cassiasca,  Attala  County, 
Mississippi,  not  knowing  whether  they  were  friends  or  foes, 
he  told  them  he  wanted  to  go  to  Kansas.  They  told  him 
he  should  swear  that  he  could  not  make  a  living  there, 
before  they  would  allow  him  to  go  North.  As  he  found 
they  were  all  Democrats  at  that  depot,  he  consented  to 
their  demand  ;  consequently  they  brought  the  Bible,  and 
he  took  his  oath  '  that  he  could  make  a  living  there,  but 
could  not  get  it.'  The  Democratic  '  bull-dozers,'  who  had 
sworn  they  would  hang  him  if  they  ever  caught  him,  took 
his  span  of  horses,  wagon,  three  cows,  and  his  crop  of 
cotton,  corn,  sugar-cane,  and  potatoes  (all  matured),  and 
gave  his  wife  money  with  which  to  pay  the  fare  for  her- 
self and  seven  children  the  twenty-five  miles  on  the  cars  to 
meet  her  husband.  The  colored  men  were  told  '  that  if  they 
would  be  Democrats  they  could  stay ;  but  Republicans  and 
carpet-baggers  could  not  live  there.' 

"Austin  Carter,  a  Methodist  preacher,  was  an  earnest 
temperance  worker,  and  was  prospering  in  that  part  of  his 
work.  He  was  also  a  strong  Republican.  He  was  shot 
dead  iu  August,  1878,  near  New  Forest  Station,  Scott 
County,  Mississippi,  on  the  railroad  running  east  and  west 
l>etween  Jackson  and  Meridian,  Mississippi,  while  on  his 
way  home,  between  the  hours  of  six  and  seven  o'clock  P. 
M.  He  received  four  shots  in  the  back  of  his  head,  which 
instantly  took  his  life.  His  wife  and  children  knew  noth- 


484  A  WOMAN'S  L  IFF- WORK. 

ing  of  it  until  the  shocking  tidings  reached  thorn  the  fol- 
lowing morning.  Thomas  Graham,  a  wealthy  merchant  at 
Forest  Station,  reported  that  the  man  who  shot  him  had 
gone  to  Texas  and  could  not  be  found  or  heard  from;  and 
nothing  was  done  to  find  the  murderer  or  to  bring  him 
to  justice." 

Elder  Perry  Bradley  was  told  by  a  number  of  this  class 
of  Democrats,  at  various  places  where  he  was  accustomed 
to  preach,  that  he  could  not  live  there  and  preach  unless 
he  would  vote  the  Democratic  ticket  and  teach  his  people 
to  do  the  same.  Said  he,  "In  the  town  of  Hillsboro,  at 
one  of  my  meetings,  the  bulldozers  came  into  the  congre- 
gation and  took  me  out  of  the  meeting,  held  in  a  school- 
house  one  mile  from  Hillsboro,  on  April  15,  1879,  at  ten 
o'clock  P.  M.,  where  I  had  preached  during  our  day  meet- 
ings without  disturbance.  Captain  Hardy,  leading  the 
band,  took  me  into  the  woods  to  an  old  deserted  house,  in 
which  was  their  general  or  chief  commander,  Warsham, 
who  asked  the  following  question :  '  Will  you  stop  preach- 
ing to  your  people  that  Christ  died  to  make  you  all  free, 
body,  soul,  and  spirit?'  'I  can  not  stop  preaching  God's 
truth  as  I  find  it  in  the  Bible,'  was  my  answer.  '  I  want 
you  to  understand  now  that  you  can't  preach  such  doc- 
trine to  our  niggers,'  was  the  rejoinder.  He  then  directed 
them  to  give  me  two  hundred  lashes.  They  took  me  out 
in  the  front  yard  and  drove  four  stakes  in  the  ground,  to 
which  each  wrist  and  foot  was  fastened.  After  being  dis- 
robed of  my  clothing  and  fastened,  face  downward,  two 
men  were  selected  to  do  the  whipping,  one  ou  each  side, 
alternating  their  strokes,  while  the  rabble  stood  around 
until  the  two  hundred  lashes  were  given.  Then  they  were 
told  to  stop  and  let  me  up.  Too  weak  and  trembling  to 
stand,  I  was  again  queried  whether  I  would  not  now  preach 
the  Democratic  doctrine  and  vote  that  ticket?  I  replied, 
'I  can  not  conscientiously  make  such  a  promise.'  'Why 


PERSECUTIONS.  485 

not?'  'Because  I  do  not  believe  there  are  Democrats 
in  heaven.'  Said  their  general,  Warsham,  'We'll  turn 
him  loose  with  this  brushing;  may  be  he'll  conclude  to 
behave  himself  after  this.'  Turning  to  me  he  said,  '  Ke- 
member,  this  is  but  a  light  brushing  compared  with  what 
you'll  get  next  time;  but  we'll  try  you  with  this.'  I 
returned  to  my  home  with  my  back  cut  in  many  deep 
gashes,  the  scars  of  which  I  shall  carry  to  my  grave.  Yet 
I  praised  God  in  remembrance  that  my  loving  Savior  suf- 
fered more  than  this  for  me,  and  that  this  suffering  was  in 
his  cause.  As  soon  as  I  was  able  to  continue  my  work  for 
my  Lord  and  Master  among  my  people  I  was  again  enabled 
to  proclaim  the  riches  of  his  grace.  A  few  weeks  after 
resuming  my  work  I  preached  on  the  Dan.  Lewis'  place,  in 
Scott  County,  where  I  had  held  meetings  undisturbed. 
But  the  same  company  sought  me  out,  and  took  me  out  of 
an  evening  meeting  into  the  woods  about  three  miles  dis- 
tant to  hang  me.  After  due  preparations  were  made  they 
passed  their  whisky  around,  of  which  they  all  drank  so 
freely  that  in  their  carousings  they  got  into  a  fight,  and 
while  drawing  pistols  at  eacn  other  young  Warsham,  the 
acting  captain,  in  whose  charge  I  was  left,  cut  the  rope 
that  bound  my  hands  behind  me,  and  told  me  to  'go.' 
And  gladly  I  obeyed  the  order  and  left  them  engaged  in 
their  fight  and  too  drunk  to  notice  my  escape.  I  left  that 
land  of  darkness  as  soon  as  possible  for  this  free  Kansas, 
and  I  have  my  family  with  me,  for  which  I  thank  my 
Deliverer  from  the  jaws  of  the  lion  of  oppression,  and 
praise  the  Lord  of  hosts  for  a  free  country,  where  I  can 
vote  as  well  as  preach  according  to  the  dictates  of  my 
own  conscience  without  the  torturing  whip  or  the  hang- 
man's rope." 

Professor  T.  Greener,  of  Howard  University,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  who  has  been  prominently  identified  in  the 
new  exodus  lately  returned  from  a  trip  to  Kansas,  where 
he  visited  the  colored  colonies,  and  gathered  information 


486  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

regarding  the  black  emigrants.  He  reports  them  as  doing 
well,  constantly  receiving  accessions  to  their  numbers,  and 
well  treated  by  their  white  neighbors.  He  says:  "  Indica- 
tions point  to  a  continuance  of  emigration  during  the  Win- 
ter, and  increase  in  the  Spring,  not  in  consequence  of  any 
special  effort  on  the  part  of  those  who  favor  this  solution 
of  the  vexed  Southern  question,  but  because  the  emigrants 
themselves  are  proving  the  best  agents  and  propagandists 
among  their  friends  South."  Professor  Greener  is  warm  in 
his  praise  of  Governor  John  P.  St.  John  and  the  people 
of  Kansas. 

A  staff  correspondent  of  the  Chicago  Inter-Ocean, 
writing  from  Topeka,  Kansas,  December  31,  1879,  says: 
"  During  four  weeks'  travel  through  the  State,  I  estimate 
the  number  of  colored  emigrants  at  fifteen  or  twenty  thou- 
sand. Of  these  one-fifth  probably  are  able  to  buy  laud, 
and  are  making  good  progress  at  farming.  Most  of  the 
others  have  found,  through  the  Freedmen's  Relief  Associ- 
ation, places  as  laborers,  and  are  giving  good  satisfaction ; 
and  iu  no  county  are  they  applying  for  aid,  nor  are  bur- 
dens upon  corporate  charities.  The  demand  for  laborers 
seems  stretched  to  its  fullest  capacity,  as  the  accumulation 
of  refugees  at  the  barracks  (now  nearly  seven  hundred), 
for  whom  no  places  can  be  found,  clearly  indicates.  Judg- 
ing from  what  I  learn  from  the  refugees  themselves,  and 
from  the  increasing  numbers,  now  from  twenty-five  to  fifty 
arriving  every  day,  we  predict  that  the  movement  to  Kan- 
sas will  soon  -assume  such  proportions  as  to  astonish  the 
country,  and  unless  the  tide  can  be  turned,  or  the  charity 
of  the  North  be  more  readily  bestowed,  the  suffering  which 
the  relief  committee,  although  laboring  faithfully  with  the 
means  at  their  command,  has  not  been  entirely  sufficient  to 
relieve  during  the  past  cold  weather,  will  soon  be  turned 
to  general  destitution  and  great  suffering  among  the  pauper 
refugees." 

The  greatest  crime  in  many  portions  of  the  South  is 


PERSECUTION    OF    COLORED    REPUBLICANS.       487 

being  a  Republican.  This  has  added  largely  to  the  emigra- 
tion, and  the  tide  has  reached  not  only  Kansas,  but  the 
older  States  of  the  North.  It  has  entered  Indiana,  Ohio, 
and  Illinois,  and  soon  will  find  its  way  into  Wisconsin, 
Iowa,  and  Michigan.  We  find  no  political  chicanery  of  the 
North  in  this  universal  uprising  of  the  colored  people  of 
the  South  in  leaving  the  home  of  their  birth.  But  it  is 
the  mistaken  policy  of  the  South  that  is  driving  their  labor- 
ers northward ;  that  is,  compelling  them  to  flee  to  more 
congenial  surroundings.  It  is  among  the  wonders  that  they 
waited  so  long  and  so  patiently  for  the  better  day  to  come. 
Not  long  ago  one  thousand  arrived  in  Parsons,  Kansas,  in 
the  south-western  part  of  the  State.  Governor  St.  John 
gave  them  a  temperance  speech  with  other  good  advice. 
Two  hundred  and  twenty-five  arrived  in  Topeka,  and  while 
I  was  at  the  barracks  over  seventy  came  in  from  Texas. 
Hardly  a  day  passed  while  I  was  there  but  we  heard  of 
fresh  arrivals.  Eleven  wagon-loads  came  into  Parsons, 
and  two  of  the  men  came  to  Topeka  and  reported  the  con- 
dition of  many  of  them  as  very  poor.  We  relieved  within 
three  weeks  over  one  thousand  persons. 

TJie  crime  of  being  a  Republican,  in  many  portions  of 
the  South,  is  shown  by  the  following  testimonies.  I  inter- 
viewed an  intelligent  colored  man,  John  S.  Scott,  of  An- 
derson County,  South  Carolina.  He  came  well  recom- 
mended as  a  well  qualified  teacher.  He  had  taught  twenty- 
eight  terms  of  school  in  South  Carolina  and  six  terms  in 
Georgia ;  but  if  he  succeeded  in  collecting  half  his  pay  he 
did  well.  He  handed  me  a  package  of  certificates  and  com- 
mendations. His  friends  were  about  to  run  him  for  office, 
but  his  life  was  threatened,  and  he  was  informed  that  they 
were  determined  to  have  a  "  white  man's  government,"  and 
gave  him  to  understand  that  if  he  got  the  office,  his  life 
would  be  worthless. 

Abbeville  district,  in  that  State,  was  Republican,  and 
John  Owen  was  an  influential  colored  Republican.  During 


488  A  WOMAN'S  MFE-WORK. 

the  election  he  was  arrested  and  placed  in  jail,  under  the 
charge  of  selling  forty-eight  pounds  of  twisted  tobacco 
without  license.  When  arraigned  before  the  court  it  was 
proved  that  he  had  no  such  article,  yet  they  fined  him 
fifty  dollars.  He  had  raised  tobacco,  but  it  was  still  in 
the  leaf.  The  fine  was  paid,  and  after  the  election  he  was 
released. 

In  the  Seventh  Congressional  District,  on  Coosa  River, 
September  24,  1877,  a  white  man  by  the  name  of  Buruam 
offered  to  purchase  a  small  cotton  farm  near  his,  owned  by 
a  colored  man,  and  offered  him  forty  dollars  for  it.  The 
owner  replied,  "  I  will  sell  to  no  man  for  that  amount." 
Nothing  more  was  said  on  the  subject,  and  the  colored 
man  purchased  a  few  pounds  of  bacon  of  Buruam  and  left 
for  home.  As  he  had  to  pass  a  little  skirt  of  woods,  Bur- 
nam  took  his  gun,  crossed  the  woods,  and  came  out  ahead 
of  the  colored  man  and  shot  him  dead !  He  remained  at 
his  home  two  weeks,  when  the  excitement  over  the  cold- 
blooded murder  became  unpleasant  for  him,  and  he  left 
the  neighborhood,  and  had  not  returned  in  March,  1878, 
the  date  my  informant  left  the  country.  The  murdered 
man  was  a  Republican. 

Sanford  Griffin  was  an  honorably  discharged  soldier,  and 
he  testified  that  Columbus  Seats  was  shot  dead  by  Frank 
Phillips,  in  Clarksville,  Tennessee.  Griffin  made  an  effort 
to  have  the  murderer  arrested,  but  failed.  No  difference 
was  known  to  exist  between  them,  except  on  the  subject 
of  politics.  Seats  was  a  Republican,  and  could  not  be 
induced  to  vote  the  Bourbon  ticket. 

In  the  autumn  of  1878  Vincent  Anderson  was  brought 
into  Clarksville,  Montgomery  County,  Tennessee,  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.  The  following  night  a  mob  took  him 
out  of  jail  and  hanged  him  on  a  locust  tree  on  the  Nash- 
ville Pike,  near  Clarksville.  This  case  Griffin  made  an 
effort  to  bring  before  the  court,  but  failed.  The  jailer, 
Perkins,  said  the  men  who  brought  Anderson  to  the  jail. 


KKGUO    WOMAN    KILLED.  489 

came  in  the  night,  and  having  overpowered  him,  forcibly 
took  the  jail  key.  But  a  girl  of  thirteen  years  testified 
that  she  saw  the  men  in  conversation  with  the  jailer,  and 
was  confident  they  paid  him  money.  Vincent  Anderson 
had  purchased  ten  acres  of  land,  and  had  paid  every 
installment  promptly,  and  was  on  the  way  to  the  railroad 
station  to  make  his  last  payment,  when  the  mob  took  him 
to  jail,  until  the  darkness  of  night  favored  their  wicked 
purpose  of  taking  his  life.  He  could  not  be  prevailed 
upon  to  vote  the  Bourbon  ticket. 

One  more  incident  this  intelligent  ex-Union  soldier  gave 
to  which  he  was  a  witness:  A  young  white  woman,  Miss 
Smith,  purchased  a  pistol  and  remarked,  "  I  am  going  to 
kill  a  nigger  before  the  week  is  out."  During  that  week 
her  father  and  Farrau,  a  colored  man,  had  a  dispute,  but 
Farrau  had  no  thought  of  any  serious  result  from  it.  But 
as  Lydia  Farrau,  the  wife  of  the  colored  man,  was  on  her 
way  to  the  field  to  help  her  husband,  Miss  Smith,  the 
white  girl  of  eighteen  or  twenty  years  of  age,  took  the  pis- 
tol shje  had  purchased  a  day  or  two  previously,  and  fol- 
lowed Lydia  and  shot  her  dead!  She  left  two  little  chil- 
dren, that  a  colored  family  got  to  their  distracted  father, 
who  escaped  for  his  life.  He  had  not  known  of  any  diffi- 
culty between  his  wife  and  Miss  Smith,  or  any  other  of  the 
family,  and  could  attribute  the  cool  calculating  murder  of 
his  wife  to  no  other  cause  than  the  little  difference  of 
opinion  that  was  expressed  a  few  days  previous  to  the  fatal 
deed !  Sanford  Griffin  succeeded  in  bringing  this  case  be- 
fore the  court.  But  the  charge  of  the  judge  to  the  jurors 
was,  "  You  must  bear  in  mind  that  Miss  Smith  was  the 
weaker  party,  and  if  the  shooting  was  in  self-defense,  it 
would  be  justifiable  homicide."  The  jury  so  returned  their 
verdict,  and  the  case  was  dismissed. 

The  Freedmen's  Aid  Commission  in  Kansas  relieved  the 
wants  of  many  of  these  refugees  from  the  South ;  but  the 
number  of  colored  people  was  so  great  that,  until  they 


490  ,  A   WOMAN'S  UFK-WOUK. 

could  find  places  to  work  for  ..others  or  for  themselves,  the 
Commission  had  difficulty  to  care  for  them.  A  circular 
letter  was  issued,  appealing  to  the  friends  of  the  cause  for 
help.  To  this  letter,  sent  out  in  December,  1879,  these 
few  telling  words,  from  our  dear  friend  and  Christian  phi- 
lanthropist, Elizabeth  L.  Comstock,  were  added:  "The 
treasury  is  nearly  empty ;  city  and  barracks  very  much 
crowded ;  refugees  coming  in  faster  than  we  can  care  for 
them;  money  urgently  needed  for  food,  fuel,  and  medicine, 
and  also  to  provide  shelter."  We  take  pleasure  in  an- 
nouncing that  our  appeals  from  time  to  time  met  with 
responsive  chords  in  many  hearts,  and  relief  was  sent  to 
the  perishing. 

It  is  needless  to  speak  further  of  the  causes  for  emi- 
gration, so  clearly  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  facts;  but  we 
give  a  late  one,  which  in  its  section  of  country  caused 
considerable  anxiety  and  stir  among  this  oppressed  people. 
About  the  close  of  July  an  article  appeared  in  the  Mer- 
cury, edited  by  Colonel  A.  G.  Horn,  at  Meridian,  Missis- 
sippi, in  which  occurs  the  following:  "We  would  like  to 
engrave  a  prophecy  on  stone,  to  be  read  by  generations  in 
the  future.  The  negroes  in  these  States  will  be  slaves 
again  or  cease  to  be.  Their  sole  refuge  from  extinction 
will  be  in  slavery  to  the  white  man."  Do  not  forget,  dear 
reader,  that  though  ignorant,  as  a  large  majority  of  ex- 
slaves  are,  yet  their  children  read  these  sentiments,  which 
are  more  outspoken  than  that  which  characterizes  South- 
ern Democracy ;  yet  re-enlivened  treason  is  nevertheless 
the  true  sentiment  and  ruling  power  of  many  places  in 
ex-slave  States.  It  is  so  accepted  by  the  negroes,  who,  to 
avoid  extinction  or  slavery,  seek  refuge  amid  physical  and 
pecuniary  hardships.  Indeed,  this  exodus  from  the  South 
is  not  ended — a  move  for  freedom  is  not  easily  extinguished. 
To  aid  the  reader  fully  to  understand  the  needs  of  these 
poor  people  in  the  southern  portion  of  Kansas,  I  insert  an 
appeal  of  a  constant  and  self-sacrificing  worker  for  them, 


LETTER    FROM   THE   SOUTH.  491 

Daniel  Votaw,  of  Independence,  Kansas:  "It  appears  that 
the  southern  portion  of  this  State  is  having  a  larger  share 
of  emigrants  than  any  other  part  of  it.  For  this  reason  I 
ask  the  philanthropist  to  send  aid  quickly.  I  believe 
clothing  will  come ;  but  who  will  send  money  to  buy 
bread?  Most  of  them  say,  'Just  give  corn-bread,  and  we 
are  satisfied.'  I  have  never  seen  nor  heard  so  much  grat- 
itude come  from  any  people  as  flows  from  the  hearts  of 
these  poor  colored  refugees.  Our  granaries  are  full,  our 
groceries  groan  with  the  weight  of  provisions ;  but  these  suf- 
ferers have  nothing  to  buy  with.  My  blood  almost  runs 
chill  when  I  remember  that  there  are  two  excessive  luxu- 
ries used  by  persons  who  call  themselves  men,  that  would, 
if  rightly  applied,  fill  this  crying  bill  of  want;  namely, 
tobacco  and  whisky.  Come,  erring  brothers,  to  the  rescue. 
Can  you  not  donate  these  expenses  to  this  good  cause? 
Do  it,  and  Heaven  will  bless  you.  Those  who  may  send 
provisions,  clothing,  or  money,  will  get  a  correct  account, 
if  a  note  of  donor  or  shipper  is  found  inside  the  package, 
to  enable  us  to  respond  with  a  correct  receipt." 

I  have  a  letter  from  a  colored  man  in  Mississippi,  ad- 
dressed to  Governor  John  P.  St.  John,  which  he  turned 
over  to  me  to  answer.  I  give  an  extract:  "Please  advise 
me  what  to  do.  The  white  men  here  say  we  have  got  to 
stay  here,  because  we  have  no  money  to  go  with.  We  can 
organize  with  a  little.  Since  the  white  people  mistrust  our 
intentions,  they  hardly  let  us  have  bread  to  eat.  As  soon 
as  we  can  go  on  a  cheap  scale,  we  are  getting  ready  to 
leave.  Some  of  us  are  almost  naked  and  starved.  We 
are  banding  together  without  any  instruction  from  you  or 
any  aid  society.  We  are  all  Kepublicaus,  and  hard-work- 
ing men,  and  men  of  trust.  We  have  to  keep  our  inten- 
tion secret  or  be  shot;  and  we  are  not  allowed  to  meet. 
We  want  to  leave  before  the  matter  is  found  out  by  the 
bulldozers.  There  are  forty  widows  in  our  band.  They 
are  work-women  and  farmers  also.  The  white  men  here 


492  A  WOMAN'S  L.IFE-WORK. 

take  our  wives  and  daughters,  and  serve  them  as  they 
please,  and  we  are  shot  if  we  say  any  thing  about  it;  and 
if  we  vote  any  other  way  than  their  way  we  can  not  live 
in  our  State  or  county.  We  are  sure  to  leave,  or  l)e  killed. 
They  have  driven  away  all  Northern  whites  and  colored 
leaders.  A  little  instruction  from  you  will  aid  the  com- 
mittee greatly  in  our  efforts  in  getting  away.  Hoping  to 
hear  from  you  soon  in  regard  to  the  request,  we  remain, 
very  truly,  yours,"  etc. 

The  foregoing,  from  which  I  purposely  omit  the  name 
and  address  of  the  writer,  is  a  sample  of  many  hundreds 
of  letters  received  by  Governor  St.  John.  Many  of  them 
he  placed  in  our  hands  to  reply.  But  neither  the  gover- 
nor nor  our  association  could  do  any  thing  to  bring  these 
poor  people  to  Kansas.  Our  sole  object  is  to  relieve  them 
after  their  arrival.  Consequently,  it  is  but  little  encour- 
agement we  could  give  these  sorrowing  hearts  as  to  any 
preparations  for  leaving  that  poisoned  land.  One  family 
told  us,  "  We  were  compelled  to  lay  our  plans  in  secret; 
and  we  left  our  bureau  and  two  large  pictures  standing  in 
our  cabin,  and  took  a  night  boat."  What  a  misnomer  to 
call  our  former  slave  States  free! 

The  cry  has  been,  "  The  sooner  Northern  carpet-baggers 
leave  the  South,  the  better  for  them ;  and  the  sooner  the 
nigger  finds  his  proper  place,  and  keeps  it,  the  better  for 
him."  The  following  incidents  will  serve  as  data,  from 
which  we  have  a  right  to  judge  of  the  manner  used  to 
bring  the  colored  people  into  what  they  deem  their  proper 
place.  But  they  are  becoming  too  intelligent  to  endure 
subjugation  when  they  can  evade  it  by  flight. 

Robert  Robinson,  on  the  road  between  Huutsville,  Al- 
abama, and  Cold  Springs,  hired  a  colored  man  for  three 
months,  and  he  called  at  his  store  for  his  pay.  "All  right," 
said  Robinson;  "step  back,  and  we  '11  look  over  the  books 
and  pay  you."  After  entering  the  room  the  door  was 
locked,  and  Robinson  placed  a  pistol  at  his  head,  while  his 


ATROCITIES.  493 

brother  beat  him  with  a  pine  club,  which  disabled  him 
from  labor  for  three  weeks.  This  was  his  pay. 

Giles  Lester  was  taken  to  jail,  and  was  iu  the  hands 
of  Bailiff  Danley.  A  mob  of  fifteen  or  twenty  men  took 
him  out  on  Friday  night,  to  a  piece  of  woods,  and  hanged 
him — not  so  as  to  break  his  neck  at  once;  but  they  were 
three  hours  in  beating  him  to  death.  A  white  man  living 
near  by  said  he  never  heard  such  cries  and  groans  of  ag- 
ony in  all  his  life  as  during  those  three  hours.  These 
atrocities  were  committed  within  two  years  past. 

During  the  Mississippi  riot  that  fiercely  raged  during 
1875-6,  the  object  of  which  was  to  secure  a  solid  Democratic 
vote  at  the  presidential  election,  innocent  men,  without 
the  shadow  of  provocation,  were  hauled  out  of  their  houses 
and  shot,  or  hanged ;  and  no  legal  notice  was  taken  of  the 
murderers,  for  they  were  men  of  property  and  standing. 
General  J.  R.  Chalmers  Avas  a  leader  iu  one  baud  of  these 
rioters,  and  is  now  honored  with  a  seat  in  Congress.  The 
mob  took  Henry  Alcoru  out  of  his  house  to  the  woods  and 
shot  him,  leaving  the  murdered  man  to  be  buried  by  his 
friends,  who  mourned  over  his  sad  fate.  But  there  is  no 
redress  where  this  corrupt  public  sentiment  takes  the  place 
of  law.  This  band  of  rioters  called  up  Charlie  Green  to 
cook  for  them  all  night  at  one  of  their  places  of  rendez- 
vous. At  early  morn,  Charlie  being  tired,  fell  asleep  sit- 
ting on  a  dry-goods  box.  One  of  the  party  said  he  wanted 
to  try  his  gun  before  starting,  and  discharged  its  contents 
into  Green's  body,  taking  his  life  instantly ! 

One  or  two  instances  of  Southern  malignity  and  outrage 
were  reported  to  me  by  one  of  these  refugees.  A  woman 
residing  near  some  of  those  whom  I  interviewed  during  my 
stay  in  Kansas,  in  1879-80,  was  called  out  by  the  "Bour- 
bons" or  "  Regulators"  who  were  iu  pursuit  of  her  husband, 
and  questioned  as  to  his  whereabouts.  Suspecting  that 
their  object  was  to  take  his  life  she  refused  to  tell.  Upon 
this  a  rope  was  placed  around  her  neck  and  tied  to  a  horse's 


494  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

• 

tail,  and  she  was  thus  dragged  to  the  nearest  wood  and 
hanged  to  the  limb  of  a  tree  until  she  was  dead.  Her  hus- 
band made  his  escape  as  best  he  could  with  his  mother- 
less babe. 

There  was  a  plantation  in  Mississippi  rented  to  six 
colored  men,  three  of  them  with  families.  At  Christmas 
they  called  for  a  settlement.  Morgan,  the  proprietor, 
brought  them  into  his  debt,  and  swore  "every  nigger  had 
eaten  his  head  off."  He  took  seven  hundred  bushels  of 
wheat  that  they  had  raised,  and  fourteen  fat  hogs,  the 
corn,  and  even  the  team  and  wagon  they  brought  on  the 
place.  They  concluded  to  resort  to  the  civil  authorities, 
hoping  to  recover  a  portion  of  the  avails  of  the  season's 
hard  work.  But  Morgan  gained  the  suit.  At  this  the 
colored  men  told  him  just  what  they  thought  of  this  whole- 
sale robbery.  Within  a  week  after  the  six  men  were  taken 
out  of  their  beds  in  the  dead  of  night,  by  a  company 
of  masked  "Regulators,"  who  stripped  the  bedsteads  of 
their  cords,  with  which  they  were  hanged  and  then  lashed 
to  boards  and  sent  floating  down  the  Mississippi  River.  A 
white  cloth  was  fastened  over  their  bosoms,  upon  which 
was  written :  "Any  one  taking  up  these  bodies  to  bury  may 
expect  the  same  fate."  They  were  taken  out  of  the  river 
one  hundred  miles  below.  Two  of  the  Avidows  sent  for  the 
bodies  of  their  husbands,  and  a  number  whom  I  conversed 
with  attended  the  funeral  and  read  the  notice  on  the  linen, 
which  had  not  been  removed  from  their  persons.  Surely 
we  have  a  right,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  ventilate  these  facts, 
though  we  may  be  deemed  sensational.  We  can  not  be 
charged  with  political  wire-pulling,  as  they  are  beyond  our 
reach.  But  I  ask,  in  the  words  of  Elizabeth  M.  Chandler, 
who  has  long  since  gone  to  her  rest  and  reward — 

"  Shall  we  behold  unheeding 

Life's  holiest  feelings  crushed? 
When  woman's  heart  is  bleeding, 
Shall  woman's  voice  be  hushed  ?" 


REFUGEES    IX    KANSAS.  495 

Is  it  a  wonder  the  freedmen  flee  by  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands? They  are  still  coming  into  Kansas.  There  are 
many  sick  and  dying  among  them.  Let  every  man,  woman, 
and  child  arise  and  work  for  the  refugees,  who  are  suffer- 
ing for  food,  fuel,  and  clothing.  There  is  great  necessity 
for  immediate  and  vigorous  effort,  in  taking  the  place  of 
the  Good  Samaritan  in  caring  for  the  robbed  and  bruised 
stranger,  who  find  many  priests  and  Levites  passing  by. 
During  the  Winter  all  money  and  supplies  for  Kansas 
refugees  should  be  directed  to  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock, 
North  Topeka,  Kansas. 

Our  work  is  by  every  possible  means  aiding  these  poor 
people  to  help  themselves,  which  they  are  doing  wherever 
work  can  be  found.  But  Winter  season  overtaking  them  on 
the  way  to  Kansas,  and  no  work  to  be  obtained,  the  phi- 
lanthropy of  our  North  will  not  withhold  her  liberal  hand. 
It  is  a  debt  which  we  owe  to  this  people.  Comparatively 
few  call  for  assistance  who  have  been  in  the  State  a  year, 
and  most  of  these  are  aged  grandparents,  the  sick,  and 
widows  with  large  families  of  small  children. 

Of  those  who  came  early  in  the  Spring  of  1879,  many 
have  raised  from  one  hundred  to  four  hundred  bushels  of 
corn  each  year,  but  they  divide  with  their  friends  and 
relatives  who  follow  them.  Some  raised  a  few  acres  of 
cotton  in  their  first  year,  and  they  are  jubilant  over  their 
future  outlook.  They  say,  "  Kansas  prairies  will  blossom 
as  the  rose,  and  whiten  her  thousands  of  acres  with  their 
favorite  staple."  One  old  man  whose  head  was  almost  as 
white  as  the  few  acres  of  cotton  he  produced,  said,  "We'll 
'stonish  the  nation  wid  thousands  of  snow-white  acres  of 
cotton  in  dis  yere  free  Kansas,  raised  wid  black  hands."  I 
find  they  are  writing  back  to  their  relatives  and  friends  in 
the  far  off  South,  that  they  can  raise  cotton  as  successfully 
in  Kansas  as  in  Mississippi,  Alabama,  and  Louisiana.  In 
this  prospect  the  door  of  hope  is  opening  before  them,  as 
if  by  the  Almighty  hand,  which  they  accept  as  having 

33 


496  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

led  them  to  the  "  land  of  freedom,"  as  they  often  express 
themselves. 

They  are  coming  in  larger  numbers  again,  notwith- 
standing every  possible  effort  of  planters  to  keep  them 
back,  and  false  reports  from  their  enemies  in  this  State 
that  the  exodus  had  ended;  but  we  who  are  in  communi- 
cation with  other  portions  of  the  State  know  to  the  con- 
trary, and  all  who  come  report  more  to  follow.  These  poor 
people  who,  between  March,  1879,  and  March,  1881,  have 
made  their  escape  from  an  oppression  that  seems  almost 
incredible,  and  have  come  to  Kansas  to  live,  now  number 
more  than  fifty  thousand,  and  still  they  come.  Like  a 
great  panorama,  the  scenes  I  witnessed  in  this  State  six- 
teen years  ago,  amid  clashing  arms,  come  back  to  me. 
Suffering  and  dying  then  seemed  the  order  of  each  day. 
True,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  suffering  and  ignorance 
among  these  field  hands  still,  but  there  is  a  marked  im- 
provement, both  as  to  the  intelligence  of  these  masses  and 
their  personal  comfort.  Are  they  not  as  intelligent  as  were 
the  children  of  Israel  when  they  left  Egypt  ?  They  made 
a  golden  calf  to  worship  after  Moses  had  left  them  a  few 
days.  All  ignorant  people  are  prone  to  depend  upon  lead- 
ers instead  of  relying  on  themselves. 

Joseph  Fletcher,  who  came  into  Kansas  July  8,  1879, 
I  found  by  his  papers  to  be  an  honorably  discharged  sol- 
dier from  Mississippi.  He  testifies  to  the  following  facts : 
"I  saw  one  hundred  men  killed  by  shooting  and  hanging 
during  the  two  years,  1878  and  1879 ;  and  my  brother  was 
one  of  them.  I  can  point  to  their  graves  to-day  in  the  two 
parishes  I  worked  in.  This  was  in  the  Red  River  section, 
Mississippi.  Their  crime  was  their  persistence  in  voting 
the  Republican  ticket."  A  number  of  the  representative 
men  from  those  parishes  were  interviewed,  and  they  testi- 
fied to  the  same  things.  A  number  of  them  had  been 
soldiers. 

Andrew  J   Jackson,  directly  from  Waterproof,  Missis- 


BULLDOZING.  497 

sippi,  says:  "Fairfax  was  a  smart,  educated  man.  He 
owned  his  house  and  laud,  and  gave  a  lot  to  the  colored 
Baptist  Church  aud  mostly  built  it.  But  the  bulldozers 
burned  both  house  and  churck.  He  rebuilt  his  house. 
The  Republicans  nominated  him  for  Senator,  and  the 
Bourbon  Democrats  found  he  would  be  elected.  They 
threatened  his  life,  and  as  he  found  snares  were  laid  to 
entrap  him,  he  made  his  escape  to  New  Orleans  for  safety. 
When  they  learned  as  to  his  whereabouts,  a  number  of 
men  wrote  for  him  to  come  back,  and  they  would  drop  the 
matter  and  let  the  election  go  as  it  would ;  but  he  heeded 
neither  their  letters  nor  telegrams.  One  of  his  friends  was 
fearful  that  he  would  heed  their  persuasions  and  went  to 
see  him,  and  told  him  not  to  listen  to  their  sweet  talk,  for 
the  bulldozers  only  wanted  him  back  so  that  they  might 
take  his  life.  The  white  Democrats  continued  to  write  to 
him  to  come  back  aud  advise  the  colored  people  not  to  go 
North,  and  they  would  promise  to  protect  him,  for  every 
body  wanted  him  to  return  and  none  would  molest  him. 
As  he  did  not  return  for  all  their  pledges,  one  man,  who 
had  always  appeared  very  friendly  with  him,  went  to  see 
him,  and  told  him  that  all  who  had  opposed  him  pledged 
their  word  and  honor  ihat  he  should  not  be  disturbed  in 
the  least  if  he  would  only  return  and  persuade  the  colored 
people  not  to  go  to  Kansas,  as  he  had  more  influence  over 
them  than  any  other  man.  He  assured  him  so  confidently 
that  he  concluded  to  trust  them,  and  returned  to  the  bosom 
of  his  family  on  Saturday;  but  before  Monday  morning  he 
was  shot  dead.  The  heart-rending  scene  can  better  be  im- 
agined than  described." 

Said  one  intelligent  man,  "We  can  do  nothing  to  pro- 
tect the  virtue  of  our  wives  and  daughters.  Near  Green- 
ville, Mississippi,  a  colored  woman  was  passing  through  a 
little  skirt  of  woods,  when  she  was  attacked  by  two  white 
men,  who  violated  her  person;  then,  to  prevent  exposure, 
they  murdered  her  in  the  most  -savage  manner.  They  tied 


498  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

her  clothes  over  her  head  and  hanged  her  by  her  waist  to 
a  hickory  sapling,  and  ripped  open  her  bowels  until  the  one 
that  would  within  a  few  weeks  have  occupied  its  place  in 
its  mother's  arms,  fell  to  the  ground.  Just  at  that  junct- 
ure two  colored  men  came  in  sight,  and  the  white  men 
dodged  into  the  woods.  This  drew  attention  to  the  awful 
scene  of  the  dying  woman  weltering  in  her  gore.  They 
hastened  to  cut  her  down,  and  just  as  she  was  breathing 
her  last  she  whispered,  "Tell  my  husband."  One  watched 
the  corpse  while  the  other  went  to  inform  the  husband. 
This  barbarous  murder,  which  took  place  in  April,  1879, 
was  twice  related  to  me  in  the  same  way  by  different 
women  from  the  same  neighborhood,  who  attended  the 
funeral.  As  I  related  this  to  our  friend,  W.  Armour  and 
wife,  of  Kansas  City,  he  remarked  that  the  same  incident 
had  been  told  to  him  by  some  of  the  new  arrivals.  We 
repeat,  Who  can  wonder  at  their  flight? 

On  July  12th  and  13th  two  boat-loads  more  of  refu- 
gees, numbering  four  hundred  persons,  lauded  in  lower  Kan- 
sas City.  I  heard  it  again  repeated,  "What  shall  we  do? 
Here  in  Topeka  ai'e  two  hundred  poor  people  waiting  to 
go  somewhere  to  get  work,  and  only  two  hundred  dollars 
in  our  treasury!"  Where  shall  we  send  them?  More  than 
fifty  men  and  women  were  then  out  hunting  work ;  many 
found  it  and  rented  cabins.  We  waited  for  a  reply  from 
the  railroad  authorities,  to  see  if  they  would  take  two  hun- 
dred passengers  for  that  money  to  Colorado. 

This  association  met  and  reached  the  conclusion  to  tel- 
egraph Mr.  W.  Armour  and  his  co-laborers,  at  Kansas 
City,  to  send  the  four  hundred  at  that  place  to  other  points, 
as  it  was  impossible  to  receive  them  in  Topeka  until  those 
already  there  were  furnished  with  homes,  or  more  money 
should  come  to  their  aid.  I  returned  to  Kansas  City,  and 
found  their  hands  and  hearts  full  also,  and  heard  the  query 
repeated,  "What  are  we  to  do  for  these  poor  people?  We 
can  not  send  them  back,  and  they  must  be  fed  until  we 


KANSAS    OVER-FULL.  499 

hear  from  places  to  which  we  have  telegraphed."  Favor- 
able replies  came  for  seventy-five  families  to  Colorado.  The 
colored  minister,  Elder  Watson,  was  to  take  them  away, 
and  visited  St.  Louis  to  request  the  friends  in  that  city  to 
send  no  more  in  this  direction  for  the  present. 

A  white  woman  called  to  see  some  of  these  poor  people, 
and  brought  chicken  broth  for  a  very  sick  man.  She  said 
she  was  born  in  Virginia,  raised  in  Georgia,  where  she  had 
taught  school,  and  also  taught  in  Mississippi  and  Alabama. 
Because  she  contended  for  the  rights  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple, as  they  were  free,  she  was  ostracised  and  compelled 
to  leave  the  South.  Said  she,  "I  have  seen  them  hung 
and  shot  like  dogs.  They  can  not  tell  you  the  half  of 
what  they  suffer.  I  know  it,  for  I  have  seen  it." 

While  I.  was  still  visiting  among  these  people,  the 
steamer  Fannie  Leivis  landed  with  one  hundred  and  four 
more  refugees  from  Mississippi.  Here  they  had  nothing  for 
their  covering  except  the  open  sky.  We  feared  that,  un- 
less other  States  should  rally  to  the  rescue,  nothing  but 
suffering  and  death  would  be  before  them.  Kansas  had 
domiciled  about  what  she  could  for  the  present,  unless 
further  aid  should  be  given  from  without.  This  State  had 
hardly  recovered  from  the  sweeping  devastation  of  war 
when  drought  swept  over  her  rich  prairies,  and  scarcely 
had  she  recovered  from  that  drawback  when  the  grasshop- 
pers came  and  desolated  her  again.  Then  the  Macedonian 
cry,  "Come  over  and  help  us,"  was  heard  and  answered. 
Again  we  raise  this  cry  in  behalf  of  this  oppressed  people, 
and  it  will  meet  a  generous  response. 

When  forty  thousand  dependents  were  thrown  into 
young  Kansas  by  Price's  raid  through  Missouri,  followed 
by  Colonels  James  Lane  and  Jeunisou,  I  received  from 
General  Curtis  the  report  that  twenty  thousand  poor  whites 
and  as  many  freed  men  were  here  to  be  cared  for  by 
government  and  the  benevolence  of  the  North.  At  that 
time  of  sore  need  Michigan  placed  in  my  hands  two  thou- 


500  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

sand  six  hundred  dollars  in  money,  and  from  seven  thou- 
sand to  eight  thousand  dollars  in  supplies  to  relieve 'the 
perishing  and  dying  of  that  day.  The  lesson  is  not  forgot- 
ten, that  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  He 
alone  who  knows  the  end  from  the  beginning  can  tell  the 
future  of  our  country,  and  of  the  five  million  of  its  inhab- 
itants of  African  descent.  Yet  eternal  right  must  and  will 
triumph.  The  debt  our  nation  owes  to  the  ex-slave  should 
be  paid.  The  hundred  thousand  colored  soldiers  who 
fought  as  bravely  to  save  our  nation's  life  as  did  their 
paler-faced  brethren,  and  faced  the  cannon's  mouth  as  fear- 
lessly for  the  prize  above  all  price — liberty — are  worthy  of 
consideration.  They  were  ever  true  to  our  soldiers.  Many 
of  our  prisoners  escaping  from  rebel  dungeons  were  piloted 
by  them  into  our  lines.  Many  black  "aunties"  took  their 
last  chicken  and  made  broth  for  our  sick  Union  soldiers, 
as  did1  the  one  I  met  in  Natchez,  Mississippi.  She  had 
been  free  a  number  of  years,  and  had  her  yard  full  of 
geese,  ducks,  and  chickens ;  but  all  went  for  Union  sol- 
diers. She  was  a  noble  Christian  woman.  She  said,  "I 
feels  so  sorry  for  a  sick  soldier,  so  far  from  their  home. 
I  feels  happy  for  all  I  kin  do  for  'em.  I  knows  Jesus  pay 
me."  Another  colored  woman  whom  I  met  at  Gloucester 
Court-house,  in  Virginia,  did  the  same. 

An  ex-soldier  wrote  in  a  note,  found  in  a  box  of  val- 
uable clothing  sent  to  the  refugees  in  Kansas:  "I  send  this 
as  a  small  token  of  the  gratitude  I  owe  to  the  colored  peo- 
ple for  saving  my  life  when  I  was  sick  and  escaping  from 
a  loathsome  rebel  prison.  They  took  care  of  me  and  con- 
ducted me  safely  to  our  Union  camp.  This  goes  with  a 
prayer  that  God  will  bless  that  suffering  people." 

We  have  the  testimony  of  many  witnesses.  Among 
them  is  J.  C.  Hartzell,  D.  D.,  of  New  Orleans,  editor  of  the 
Southwestern  Christian  Advocate.  He  says,  "The  cruelties 
endured  by  the  colored  people  of  the  South  can  not  be 
overdrawn"  He  knew  of  a  number  of  families  that  took 


PROTECTION    NEEDED.  501 

homesteads  on  government  lands  and  were  doing  well  for 
themselves,  but  masked  "Bourbons"  went  in  a  company 
and  drove  them  off,  telling  them  they  "  had  no  business 
with  homes  of  their  own.  The  plantation  was  their  place, 
and  there  they  should  go."  One  man  undertook  to  defend 
himself  and  family  with  his  gun,  but  receiving  a  serious 
wound  from  one  of  the  Bourbons,  he  hid  from  his  pursu- 
ers. One  of  his  white  friends  heard  of  what  had  befallen 
him,  and  took  him  to  New  Orleans  for  safety,  as  he  knew 
him  to  be  an  industrious  and  peaceable  man.  Here  he 
employed  a  skillful  surgeon  to  treat  him.  Our  informant 
saw  the  bullet  taken  from  his  body,  and  thought  his  life 
could  be  saved.  But  he  is  sure  to  lose  it  if  he  returns  to 
his  own  home.  Rev.  J.  C.  Hartzell  said  he  had  received 
letters  from  various  places  all  over  the  South,  written  by 
intelligent  colored  ministers,  that  their  Churches  were 
closed  against  them  until  after  election.  The  same  thing 
was  told  me  by  many  of  those  I  interviewed. 

The  Bourbons  said  their  meetings  were  the  hot-beds  of 
emigration  and  Republicanism.  In  some  places  they  were 
forbidden  to  meet  in  their  private  houses  for  prayer-meet- 
ings, as  their  enemies  said  they  met  to  make  plans  to  go 
to  Kansas.  Is  there  no  guarantee  for  life,  liberty,  and  the 
pursuit  of  happiness?  What  a  sta,te  of  society  is  this  for  a 
free  country?  Our  first  duty  as  a  government  is  protec- 
tion. But  if  it  is  too  weak  for  that,  the  second  duty  is  to 
.welcome  the  fleeing  refugee  and  point  him  to  work,  or  to 
the  thousands  of  acres  of  good  government  land,  and  help 
him  where  he  needs  help  to  keep  body  and  soul  together 
during  the  few  months  it  may  require  to  make  himself 
self-sustaining. 

From  Daniel  Votaw's  report  from  Independence,  Kan- 
sas, I  extract  the  following:  "Thomas  Bell,  of  Dallas 
County,  Texas,  was  hanged  about  October  5th  for  attempt- 
ing to  go  with  his  family  and  a  few  neighbors  to  Kansas. 
Blood  and  rapine  mark  the  fugitive.  After  supper,  from 


502  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

meal  furnished  them  for  this  purpose,  they  gave  us  a  his- 
tory of  their  trials  in  Texas,  which  was  truly  sorrowful; 
and  with  the  notes,  mortgages,  and  credits  given — to  the 
whole  amount,  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars — for 
their  farms,  they  were  compelled  to  leave  and  flee  for  their 
lives,  as  David  did  before  Saul." 

Shot-gun  rule  still  continued.  Philip  Fauber,  recently 
from  near  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  testifies  as  follows:  "I 
rented  land  of  Bragg  and  James  McNealy,  and  was  to  have 
one-third  of  the  crop  and  furnish  team  and  seed.  I  took 
three  bales  of  cotton  to  the  weigher,  who  read  my  contract, 
and  set  aside  one  bale  for  me.  But  the  McNealys  claimed 
the  three  bales,  and  I  referred  the  matter  to  the  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  who,  after  reading  the  contract,  sanctioned 
the  decision  of  the  weigher.  But  the  McNealys  brought 
another  officer,  who  asked  to  see  the  contract.  I  handed 
him  the  paper,  Avhich  he  read  and  tore  up  and  threw 
away,  and  McNealy  took  possession  of  the  last  bale  of  cot- 
ton, which  I  told  them  was  my  only  dependence  for  my 
family's  support  for  the  Winter.  On  my  way  home  through 
a  little  woods  I  received  the  contents  of  a  shot-gun  in  my 
face,  both  eyes  being  put  out.  In  great  distress  I  felt  my 
way  home.  The  doctor  took  a  number  of  shot  out  of  my 
face,  but  he  couldn't  put  my  eyes  back.  I  can  now  do 
nothing  but  depend  upon  others  to  feed  and  clothe  me  till 
God  takes  me  from  this  dark  world  to  that  glorious  world 
of  light  and  peace.  The  old  man,  McNealy  denied  shoot- 
ing me,  but  he  never  said  he  did  not  know  who  did.  But 
he  and  his  two  sons  died  within  a  few  months  after  I  was 
shot.  In  the  last  sickness  of  Bragg  McNealy  he  sent  for 
me  to  tell  me  for  the  last  time  that  he  did  not  shoot  me. 
Still  he  would  not  tell  who  did."  The  industrious  wife  of 
this  poor  man  whose  face  is  speckled  with  shot  scars,  is 
anxious  to  get  four  or  five  acres  of  land  to  work  herself, 
and  support  herself  and  blind  husband. 

A.    A.   Lacy,  an  intelligent  colored   man   from   New 


MICHAEL    WALSH.  503 

Orleans,  who  came  to  us  indorsed  by  a  number  of  others 
from  the  same  city,  testifies  to  the  facts  related  by  him  as 
follows:  "May  5,  1880,  I  called  at  the  custom-house  to 
report  for  duty  to  General  A.  S.  Badger,  collector  of  cus- 
toms, by  whom  I  had  been  employed.  He  directed  me  to 
Captain  L.  E.  Salles,  the  chief  weigher,  to  whom  I  had 
reported  a  number  of  days,  but  failed  to  get  work,  and  as 
I  failed  this  time  I  asked  if  I  had  better  continue  calling 
for  work.  He  replied,  'You  had  better  call  again.'  As 
I  was  passing  out  of  the  door  his  partner,  Michael  Walsh, 
came  to  me  (in  a  gruff,  commanding  tone),  'What  is  that 
you  say,  Lacy?'  'Nothing  to  you,'  I  replied;  'I  was 
speaking  to  Captain  Salles.'  At  this  he  gave  a  stab,  and 
as  I  turned  to  see  what  he  was  hitting  me  for,  he  added 
two  stabs  more  with  cursing.  As  I  was  going  down  the 
steps  I  felt  the  warm  blood  running  down  my  side,  not 
yet  realizing  that  I  had  been  cut.  I  opened  my  vest  and 
saw  the  flowing  blood.  I  stepped  into  Mr.  Blauchard's 
office,  the  assistant  weigher,  who  was  a  Republican,  and 
showed  him  my  side,  with  clothes  saturated  with  blood. 
He  was  so  shocked  and  excited  that  he  was  taken  ill  and 
died  in  just  two  weeks.  He  advised  me  to  enter  a  com- 
plaint against  Michael  Walsh,  which  I  did,  and  he  was 
placed  in  jail  in  default  of  thousand  dollar  bond.  I  was 
sent  to  the  hospital.  As  there  were  many  friends  and 
reporters  calling  on  me,  the  surgeon  forbade  callers  except 
immediate  attendants  and  my  wife.  He  said  the  deepest 
wound  reached  the  left  lung,  and  an  eighth  of  an  inch 
deeper  would  have  produced  instant  death.  On  the  tenth 
day  I  was  allowed  to  be  removed  to  my  home,  and  pro- 
nounced to  be  convalescent.  Michael  Walsh  was  released 
from  prison  with  no  other  mark  of  displeasure  resting 
upon  him  for  this  attempt  at  murder  than  a  few  days' 
imprisonment.  As  soon  as  I  was  able  to  walk  about  I 
took  a  boat  with  friends  whose  lives  had  been  threatened 
for  Kansas,  where  we  arrived  July  15,  1880.  I  am  only 


504  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

able  to  do  light  work  for  which  I  am  thankful.  Yet  it 
seems  hard  to  lose  all  this  time  from  the  assassin's  stab  in 
a  custom-house  that  belongs  to  the  government  I  fought 
two  years  to  sustain." 

Uncle  Peter  Cox,  an  aged  man  of  eighty-eight  years, 
has  a  wen  on  the  back  of  his  neck,  running  between  his 
shoulders,  larger  than  a  two-quart  bowl,  that  has  been 
over,  thirty  years  coming.  It  was  caused  by  heavy  lifting 
and  continued  hard  work  during  his  slave-life.  He  came 
to  Topeka,  Kansas,  in  July,  1880,  with  his  aged  wife  and 
deaf  and  dumb  grandson  of  eighteen  years.  His  advanced 
age  and  deformity  induced  me  to  inquire  more  closely  into 
the  cause  of  leaving  his  State  (Louisiana).  After  giving 
the  sad  history  of  his  slave-life — the  common  lot  of  that 
class  of  goods  aud  chattels  — he  said:  "Missus  I  stay'd  thar 
as  long  as  I  could,  when  I  seed  my  brodder  in  de  Lo'd 
hangin'  on  a  tree  not  more'n  a  hundred  rods  from  my 
house,  near  Baton  Rouge.  A  sistah  was  hanged  five  miles 
off,  on  de  plank  road,  in  West  Baton  Rouge,  in  a  little 
woods.  Her  sistah  followed  her  beggin'  for  her  life,  and 
tole  de  bulldosers  she  could  n't  tell  whar  her  husban'  was 
that  da's  gwiue  to  hang.  But  da  swore  she  should  hang  if 
she  did  n't  tell."  Giving  his  head  a  shake,  while  tears 
dropped  thick  aud  fast  down  the  deeply  furrowed  cheeks, 
he  continued:  "O,  Missus,  I  couldn't  live  thar  no  longer. 
I's  so  distressed  day  an'  night.  De  chief  captain  of  dis 
ban'  of  murder's  was  Hei^ry  Castle,  who  wid  his  ban'  of 
men  was  supported  by  Mr.  Garrett,  Mr.  Fisher,  au'  Mr. 
Washington,  who  were  merchants  in  Baton  Rouge." 

But  that  poor  grandfather's  heart  was  filled  with  grief 
to  overflowing  when  the  faithful  grandson  was  walking 
alone  in  the  railroad  track,  and  was  run  over  by  the  cars 
aud  instantly  killed.  Although  the  warning  whistle  was 
given  the  poor  deaf  boy  heard  it  not.  As  he  was  all  the 
aged  pair  had  to  depend  upon  for  their  living,  it  was  to 
them  a  heavy  stroke.  No  one  can  look  over  these  testi- 


OTHER    TESTIMONIES.  505 

monies  without  exclaiming,  with  David,  "  Is  there  not  a 
cause"  for  the  flight  of  this  persecuted  people?  We  find 
many  among  them,  like  Lazarus,  begging  for  the  crumbs 
that  fall  from  the  rich  man's  table ;  but  let  us  not  allow 
them  to  die  in  this  laud  of  plenty. 

During  three  weeks  in  July,  1879,  spent  in  Kansas,  I 
interviewed  many  of  the  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four 
recent  arrivals  in  that  State  from  the  far  South,  and  found 
one  continued  train  of  sad  recitals  of  wrongs  and  outrages 
equal  to  the  darkest  spots  that  ever  stained  the  history  of 
savage  life.  A.  W.  Armour,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  who 
had  taken  much  interest  in  assisting  these  refugees,  believed 
there  had  been  eight  thousand  arrivals  of  these  people 
since  March.  The  query  arises,  Why  this  stampede?  why 
this  unlooked-for  emigration?  We  answer.  Go  to  these 
hundreds  and  thousands  and  listen  to  their  story  of  the 
increasing  oppressions  practiced  upon  them,  the  most  bar- 
barous murders,  committed  so  frequently  that  intelligent 
colored  men  in  many  localities  know  not  when  they  retire 
at  night  but  they  may  be  called  out  of  their  beds  and 
hung  or  shot  ere  the  dawn  of  another  day,  and  here  the 
answer  is  found.  Of  such  testimonies  we  add  a  few  more. 

Mary  Clark  had  been  two  weeks  from  New  Orleans. 
She  says,  "Tax  man  make  me  pay  three  dollars  for  my 
license  for  washin'  for  people.  My  ole  man  had  to  hide 
away  for  his  life  till  he  get  a  boat;  an'  we  lef  all  behiu', 
'case  two  men  shot  dead  a  few  days  afore  we  lef.  One 
man  standiu'  in  his  own  yard,  an'  de  bullet  shot  over  some 
o'  de  people's  heads  standin'  in  de  church  yard  next  his 
house,  an'  struck  de  wall  o'  de  church,  an'  fell  on  de 
groun'.  Some  of  our  people  picked  it  up  all  battered." 
An  ex-soldier  and  a  few  other  neighbors  of  Dickie  Smith 
said  he  was  called  out  of  his  bed  at  two  o'clock  in  the 
darkness  of  night,  a  rope  slipped  over  his  head  and  tied  to 
a  horse's  tail,  and  he  was  dragged  across  ridges  to  the 
nearest  woods,  where  the  dead  body  was  hung  to  a  tree 


506  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

because  he  refused  to  report  the  colored  people  in  Candia 
parish. 

Mary  Crawford,  over  one  hundred  years  old,  said: 
"I'se  had  heap  of  ups  an'  downs.  Great  many  years  ago 
my  husban'  sole  away;  some  chillen  sole  off;  neber  know 
where  da  went.  When  de  war  free  us,  had  two  lef '.  My 
baby  goin' on  seventy;  he's  here."  This  was  spoken  in  a 
low,  sad  wail,  indicative  of  a  life  of  sorrow.  Her  son  was 
suffering  from  rheumatism  from  a  month's  exposure  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  waiting  for  a  boat  that  would  bring 
them.  Said  his  wife,"  "  We  hailed  all  de  boats  dat  pass, 
an'  show  'em  de  money  one  time,  an'  da  say,  'No,  we  can 't 
take  you;  planters  gib  us  three  hundred  dollars  dis  trip 
not  to  take  niggers  Norf.'  My  ole  man  was  gettin'  might- 
ily crippled  up,  out  so  long  in  chilly  nights.  When  we 
got  here  we  had  jus'  eight  dollars  left ;  dat  I  paid  for  dis 
little  house  for  a  month  to  get  under  shelter,  for  mother 
got  sore  throat  from  cole.  If  me  an'  chilleu  can  get  somefiu' 
to  do  afore  dis  month  is  out  we'll  get  on  again.  But  da  is 
shootiu'  an'  hangiu'  so  fas'  back  dar  we  packed  up  an' 
got  away." 

Said  a  white  man,  as  he  stood  looking  over  this  group, 
"What  did  these  old  people  come  for?,  they  can't  do  any 
good."  The  quick  reply  was,  "We  couldn't  leave  our 
fathers  and  mothers  back  thar  for  Reg'lators  to  kill,  an' 
not  know  whar  nor  how  they  dies."  This  answer  is  suffi- 
cient excuse  for  all  the  old  people  they  bring. 

It  is  astonishing  to  see  the  insults  heaped  upon  these 
ignorant  people.  A  stranger  came  to  these  ex-soldiers  who 
left  the  service  without  back  pay,  professing  to  be  a  lawyer 
authorized  to  take  their  discharge  papers  and  collect  it  for 
them.  Fifteen  of  these  men  gave  him  their  papers.  One 
of  them  called  for  a  receipt  for  his,  though  assured,  as 
were  all  the  others,  that  the  papers  with  their  money 
would  be  given  them  the  following  week.  But  neither  the 
lawyer  nor  the  papers  nor  the  money  was  ever  heard  from 


CRUEL    TREATMENT.  507 

afterwards.  Another  swindler  came  to  the  soldiers  and 
offered  for  sale  a  peculiar  badge  that  he  said,  if  presented 
in  Kansas,  would  be  sufficient  to  secure  eighty  or  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  good  land,,  and  great  effort  was 
made  to  secure  it.  One  man  sold  his  cow  for  two  dollars 
to  get  enough  to  purchase  the  valued  badge.  Several 
hundred  dollars  were  thus  taken  by  him  before  he  came 
to  one  intelligent  enough  to  expose  the  fraud,  and  then 
he  left  them. 

It  seemed  quite  a  general  testimony  among  these  peo- 
ple that  they  were  better  treated  the  first  year  or  two  after 
the  war  closed  than  at  any  time  since,  and  that  loss  of  life 
had  since  then  increased  perceptibly.  One  man  and  his 
three  sons,  who  had  been  soldiers,  carried  with  them  their 
discharge  papers  and  were  strong  Republicans.  They  were 
offered  two  dollars  each  if  they  would  vote  the  Democratic 
ticket;  but  they  refused,  and  told  the  man  who  offered  the 
money  that  they  were  not  ready  to  sell  themselves.  But 
he  said  it  was  only  voting  for  their  home  government, 
and  it  was  their  duty  to  vote  the  Southern  ticket.  Then 
assuming  a  threatening  attitude  he  went  on,  "  We  are 
going  to  clean  out  all  these  Republicans  before  the  next 
election/'  A  few  nights  after  this  threat  all  four  were 
called  out  in  the  dead  of  night  and  hung.  This  was  in  the 
Red  River  section. 

While  listening  to  this  account  I  was  reminded  of  the 
remarks  of  an  ex-slaveholder  in  telling  me  of  a  new-fash- 
ioned gag  made  with  barbs  similar  to  those  on  fish-hooks, 
that  pierced  the  tongue  so  badly  that  she  knew  a  man  on 
Samuel  Lay's  plantation,  on  Red  River,  that  was  found 
dead  in  the  morning  from  wearing  one  during  the  night. 
"Why,  you  Northerners  have  no  idea  of  the  hell  upon 
earth  this  Red  River  country  is."  And  it  seems  that  the 
reconstruction  brush  has  done  but  little  on  Red  River  can- 
vas since  I  was  there  amid  booming  cannons  and  clash  of 
arms  in  1863-4. 


508  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

One  woman  from  that  section  told  me,  "  De  agent  say 
he  gwine  to  put  us  all  in  purgatory."  I  thought  they  had 
got  them  in  already  by  her  reports,  and  kept  them  there, 
until  they  made  their  escape. 

"One  man  with  his  wife  worked  twenty-five  acres  on 
the  widow  Garner's  place.  Her  sou,  Richard  Caruer,  was 
her  agent,  and  had  a  fair  prospect  of  a  good  crop.  When 
he  heard  we  talked  of  going  North  he  brought  an  officer 
to  take  possession  of  all  we  had  to  prevent  our  going.  Our 
wagon  cost  us  one  hundred  and  ten  dollars;  we  paid  for 
our  horse  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars,  and  for  our 
four  plows  thirty-four  dollars.  After  he  had  taken  all  we 
had  he  then  pretended  we  owed  him  four  dollars  more. 
We  left  and  then  worked  by  the  day  until  we  got  eight 
dollars  that  brought  us  to  St.  Louis,  and  the  kind  people 
there  paid  our  fare  here.  God  bless  'em  forever,  I  pray. 
If  we  keep  well,  in  a  year  or  two  we'll  get  us  a  little  home 
of  our  own."  This  seems  to  be  the  height  of  their 
ambition. 

In  some  places  planters  are  making  new  arrangements 
by  having  them  sign  articles  of  agreement  to  work  the 
same  plantation  the  next  year  or  forfeit  this  year's  crop. 
But  it  is  apparent  that  no  contract,  however  binding, 
will  hold  them  there,  unless  they  remove  this  iron  rod  of 
oppression  which  now  rests  so  heavily  upon  them.  Their 
policy  of  striking  terror  to  their  hearts  is  failing.  Increas- 
ing barbarities  will  not  bring  tame  submission.  One  man 
from  Louisiana,  near  Baton  Rouge,  who  was  an  honorably 
discharged  soldier,  reports  that  he  cut  one  man  down  that 
must  have  been  hung  a  number  of  days  before.  In  this 
company  there  were  a  number  of  witnesses  who  went  to 
the  woods  to  behold  the  awful  scene  reported  by  their 
friend.  They  reported  also  another  act  still  more  barbar- 
ous, committed  by  a  drinking  rabble  who  first  hung  a  poor 
colored  man  and  then  cut  him  into  pieces,  scattering  his 
limbs  in  different  directions  in  the  woods  for  the  wild 


CHARLIE    ROBISON.  509 

beasts  to  devour.  In  listening  to  these  demoniac  deeds  the 
blood  seemed  to  curdle  in  my  veins,  and  I  cried  out,  "  How 
long,  O  Lord,  how  long?" 

But  a  few  more  instances  we  will  give  and  close  this 
painful  record.  A  number  of  men  and  women  reported 
that  Charlie  Robison  was  a  nice,  quiet  man.  His  wife  did 
not  know  of  his  having  a  difference  with  any  one.  "But 
as  de  Reg'lators  swore  da  kill  de  las'  Republican  afore  de 
next  'lection  we  spose  dat  was  all.  We  lived  near  Baton 
Rouge.  Charlie  was  workin'  rented  Ian',  an'  his  wife  went 
in  de  fiel'  dat  day  to  help*  'im.  On  goiii'  in  for  supper  he 
put  his  ban's  on  her  shoulder  an'  said  :  'Now,  Babe  [his  pet 
name  for -his  wife],  I  want  you  to  wake  mie  up  right  early 
in  de  mornin',  case  I  want  to  feed  de  mules  an'  get  in  de 
fiel'  right  soon.'  After  enterin'  the  house  his  wife  said : 
'There,  Charlie,  I  forgot  my  basket  I  lef  by  de  fence.' 
'Never  min',  Babe;  I'll  go  an'  get  it  after  supper  when  the 
team  is  fed.'  They  both  went,  an'  she  said  da  talk  a  long 
time,  after  the  chilleus  all  asleep,  'bout  what  they'd  do  nex' 
Christmas,  an'  what  happen  last  Christmas  week.  At  two 
o'clock  dat  m'ght  a  loud  rap  on  de  door  wake  'em,  an' 
Charlie  say,  'What's  wantin'?'  'We  want  Charlie  Rob- 
ison.' 'Who's  thar?'  'No  matter  who's  here;  we  want 
Charlie.'  His  wife  clingiu'  to  'im,  beggin'  'Don't  go, 
Charlie;  da's  Reg'lators,  da' 11  kill  you.'  The  urgent  call 
came  with  bitter  oaths  and  cursing  with  threats,  '  Come 
out  here,  or  we'll  kerosene  your  house  and  burn  you  all 
up.'  The  trembliu'  man  went  for  de  door  an'  jus'  open  it 
a  little,  an'  da  say,  '  Do  n't  staii'  thar,  or  we  '11  throw  kero- 
sene over  you  an'  burn  you  up  in  a  minute.'  Amid  cries 
of  his  wife,  beggin'  '  Do  n't  kill  Charlie,'  an'  he  sayin' 
'Now,  you  won't  hang  me  away  from  my  poor  wife  an' 
three  little  chillen,  will  you?'  they  cursed  an'  said,  'Who 
said  we  are  going  to  hang  you?'  An'  da  hauled  him  out 
an'  dragged  him  away  while  beggin'  for  his  life.  As  soon 
as  it  was  light  enough  to  see  she  come  to  us  to  go  wid  her 


510  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

to  hunt  Charlie.  As  we  went  the  way  she  heard  'im  last, 
we  seed  'im  hangin'  on  a  little  tree  in  de  edge  of  de  woods ; 
his  back  was  to  us  till  we  got  up  to  'im,  an'  it  peared  like 
he  knew  his  poor  wife  dar,  wringin'  her  han's  and  cryin'  for 
'im,  for  as  soon  as  we  got  up  to  'im  he  turned  squar'  round 
wid  his  face  to  'er.  And,  O,  what  a  sight!  His  tongue 
hung  out  over  his  chin,  an'  eyeballs  on  his  cheeks !  '  O 
Charlie,  my  Charlie,  my  Charlie,'  she  cried ;  '  God  have 
mercy !"  Dis  was  Monday  night,  an'  de  nex'  Sunday  da 
hung  Jonathan  Jackson,  an'  two  week  after  da  hung 
Stephen  Bray." 

We  repeat,  is  it  a  marvel  that  this  sorely  oppressed 
people  risk  suffering  in  a  colder  climate  when  life  for  them 
is  so  uncertain?  O  how  vividly  these  thrilling  recitals 
brought  the  Red  Sea  of  war  to  view.  Surely  its  tributaries 
are  flowing  still.  The  query  why  they  are  not  better  able 
to  care  for  themselves  when  they  reach  our  Northern  States 
is  finally  answered  in  the  cloud  of  oppression  that  has  so 
long  hung  over  that  crushed  race. 

The  majority  of  those  I  interviewed  were  of  the  Meth- 
odist and  Baptist  persuasions.  They  have  greai  faith  that 
the  Lord  is  leading  in  a  way  they  know  not,  and  that  King 
Jesus  is  opening  the  prison  door  for  them  as  surely  as  he 
opened  the  prison  door  for  Paul  and  Silas.  Let  all  who  de- 
sire to  lend  to  the  Lord  by  giving  to  his  poor  send  material 
aid  to  Governor  John  P.  St.  John,  Topeka,  Kansas,  who  has 
drawn  around  him  like  benevolent  spirits.  They  have  done, 
and  are  still  doing,  what  they  can  to  relieve  the  poorest  of 
the  poor  of  these  refugees  who  have  sought  a  "  house  of 
refuge  "  in  that  young  State  of  Kansas. 

Yet,  through  all  these  dark  clouds  we  perceive  the 
silver  linings.  The  heaven-born  cause  of  temperance  is 
gaining  a  foothold  in  our  Southern  States.  A  crusade 
against  the  liquor-traffic  commenced  in  Ohio,  and  has  swept 
over  Michigan  and  other  neighboring  States,  and  is  still 
going  on  conquering  and  to  conquer. 


PROSPECTS   OF   THE    FREEDMEN.  511 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

PROSPECTS  OF  THE  FREEDMEN. 

OUR  last  chapter  contains  the  dark  side  of  our  picture. 
In  this  we  present  the  brighter  prospects  for  a  long  and 
sorely  oppressed  race.  We  first  note  what  has  been  and 
is  being  done  for  the  sixty  thousand  who  have  emigrated 
to  Kansas.  As  I  have  been  a  co-laborer  with  Elizabeth 
L.  Comstock  more  than  two  years  in  rescuing  the  perishing 
in  their  new  homes,  I  speak  from  personal  knowledge. 

During  the  first  Winter — 1879-80 — as  mild  as  it  was, 
more  than  one  hundred  refugees  were  found  with  frozen  feet 
and  fingers.  Five  were  frozen  to  death  in  coming  through 
the  Indian  Territory  with  their  teams.  Through  faithful 
agents,  with  supplies  forwarded  from  other  States,  and  even 
from  friends  in  England  in  response  to  appeals  sent  out  by 
Elizabeth  L.  Comstock,  very  many  sufferers  were  relieved. 
The  goods  from  England  were  forwarded  mostly  by  James 
Clark,  of  Street.  Over  seventy  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
supplies  have  passed  through  our  hands  for  the  relief  of 
the  refugees  between  September, 1879,  when  we  commenced 
working  for  them,  and  March,  1881.  Thirteen  thousand 
dollars  of  this  amount  came  from  England,  having  been 
sent  by  Friends  or  Quakers.  Besides  money,  we  received 
new  goods,  as  follows : 

Warm,  new  blankets, .'  .    .   .  2,000 

New  garments  for  women  and  girls, 5,000 

New  garments  for  men  and  tx>ys, 3,000 

New  garments  for  babies  and  small  children, 5,500 

New  knitted  socks  and  hose,  five  hundred  dozen  pairs,  .  6,000 
Large  quantity  of  sheets,  pillow-cases,   bed-quilts,  tow- 
els, etc., 3,000 

Queensware. — Six  large  crates,  one  hundred  and  nineteen 

dozen  plates  in  each, 8,568 

34 


512  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Cups  and  saucers,  nearly 6,000 

Bowls  and  mugs, 4,000 

Platters,  pitchers,  and  chamber  wares, 3,500 

Scissors, 6,000 

Sets  of  knives  and  forks, 4,000 

Spoons, 8,000 

Needles, 15,000 

Knitting-needles, 2,500 

Bags  with  sewing  materials, 2,500 

Papers  of  pins,  six  hundred  and  tifty  dozen,  and  tape,  350,    1 ,000 

Tin-cups  and  basins, 6,000 

Bed-ticks, 1,500 

Wash-dishes  and  pans, 2.000 

AVoolen  dresses  for  women  and  girls,  valued  at $1,680 

New  overcoats  for  men  and  boys,  valued  at $650 

Three  whole  bolts  of  Welch  flannel  (seventy-two  yards 

each), $150 

Two  bolts  heavy  broadcloth,  for  overcoats,  valued  at  .    .     $144 

Women's  cloaks  and  shawls,  valued  at $2,250 

New  red  flannel,  valued  at $150 

Muslins,  valued  at $150 

Gray  flannel  and  three  hundred  pairs  mittens,  valued  at  $500 
Buttons,  hooks  and  eyes,  cotton  thread,  silk,  etc.,  ....  $500 
New  pieces  goods,  chiefly  cotton,  valued  at $5,000 

Over  ninety  thousand  dollars  in  money  and  supplies 
were  distributed  by  the  Kansas  Relief  Association,  until  it 
was  disbanded  in  May,  1881,  and  its  head-quarters  removed 
to  Southern  Kansas,  where  thousands  of  these  Southern 
emigrants  are  congregated.  That  locality  is  more  favorable 
to  cotton  raising.  Many  of  the  refugees  know  but  little  of 
other  business;  hence  the  necessity  for  an  agricultural, 
industrial,  and  educational  institute,  of  which  Elizabeth  L. 
Comstock  is  the  founder.  At  the  present  date  (August, 
1881)  eight  thousand  dollars  are  invested.  This  includes 
the  Homestead  Fund.  To  meet  the  crying  need  of  this 
people  she,  in  connection  with  her  daughter,  Caroline  De- 
Green,  are  untiring  in  their  efforts  to  establish  a  perma- 
nent or  systematized  work.  They  have  established  this 
much  needed  institution  on  four  hundred  acres  of  good 
land,  which  is  tilled  by  colored  people,  who  receive  pay  for 
their  work  in  provision,  clothing,  or  money  until  they  can 
purchase  cheap  land  for  their  own  homes. 

It  has  been  no  small  task  to  disburse  wisely  the  large 


NORTHERN    OUTRAGES.  513 

supplies  sent  from  every  Northern  State  and  England  in 
various  portions  of  the  State  of  Kansas.  It  has  been  done 
through  the  instrumentality  of  self-sacrificing  men  and 
women.  The  noble  women  of  Topeka  did  their  full  share. 
They  districted  the  city,  appointed  a  large  investigating 
committee,  and  gave  tickets  calling  for  the  articles  most 
needed  in  the  families  found  in  a  suffering  condition.  By 
this  plan  impositions  were  avoided. 

While  we  have  entered  bitter  complaints  against  our 
Southern  ex-slave  States,  we  ought  to  call  to  mind  many 
persecutions  endured  by  the  opponents  of  slavery  in  our 
own  States  of  the  North.  I  have  still  in  remembrance  the 
many  mobs  to  which  abolitionists  were  exposed  for  discuss- 
ing their  views.  I  have  not  forgotten  the  burning  shame 
and  disgrace  upon  our  whole  North  because  of  the  treat- 
ment it  allowed  to  an  earnest  Christian  philanthropist, 
Prudence  Crandall,  of  Windham  County,  Connecticut. 
She  opened  a  school  in  Canterbury  Green  for  girls,  and 
was  patronized  by  the  best  families,  not  only  of  that  town, 
but  of  other  counties  and  States.  Among  those  who  sought 
the  advantages  of  her  school  was  a  colored  girl.  But 
Prudence  was  too  thorough  a  Quaker  to  regard  the  request 
of  bitter  prejudice  on  the  part  of  her  other  patrons  to  dis- 
miss her  colored  pupil.  But  she  did  not  wait  for  them  to 
execute  their  threat  to  withdraw  their  children.  She  sent 
them  home.  Then  she  advertised  her  school  as  a  boarding 
school  for  young  ladies  of  color. 

The  people  felt  insulted,  and  held  indignation  meetings 
and  appointed  committees  to  remonstrate  with  her.  But 
she  stood  by  her  principles  regardless  of  their  remonstrance. 
The  excitement  in  that  town  ran  high.  A  town  meeting 
was  called  to  devise  means  to  remove  the  nuisance.  In 
1833  Miss  Crandall  opened  her  school  against  the  protest 
of  an  indignant  populace.  Another  town  meeting  was 
called,  at  which  it  was  resolved,  "That  the  establishment 
of  a  rendezvous,  falsely  denominated  a  school,  was  designed 


514  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

by  its  projectors  as  the  theater  to  promulgate  their  disgust- 
ing theory  of  amalgamation  and  their  perniciottfl  sentiments 
of  subverting  the  Union.  These  pupils  were  to  have  been 
congregated  here  from  all  quarters  under  the  false  pretense 
of  educating  them,  but  really  to  scatter  h're-brauds,  arrows, 
and  death  among  brethren  of  our  own  blood." 

I  well  remember  the  voice  of  more  than  seven  thousand, 
even  at  that  day,  who  had  never  bowed  the  knee  to  the 
Baal  of  slavery  that  was  raised  in  favor  of  the  course  pur- 
sued by  the  noble  woman.  Against  one  of  these  young  col- 
ored girls  the  people  were  about  to  enforce  an  old  vagrant 
law,  requiring  her  to  give  security  for  her  maintenance 
on  penalty  of  being  whipped  on  the  naked  body.  Thus 
they  required  her  to  return  to  her  home  in  Providence. 
Canterbury  did  its  best  to  drive  Prudence  from  her  post. 
Her  neighbors  refused  to  give  her  fresh  water  from  their 
wells,  though  they  knew  their  own  sons  had  filled  her  well 
with  stable  refuse.  Her  father  was  threatened  with  mob- 
violence.  An  appeal  was  sent  to  their  Legislature,  and 
that  body  of  wise  men  devised  a  wicked  enactment  which 
they  called  law,  which  was  brought  to  bear  upon  her  par- 
ents on  this  wise:  An  order  was  sent  to  her  father,  in  sub- 
stance, as  follows:  "Mr.  Craudall,  if  you  go  to  visit  your 
daughter  you  are  to  be  fined  one  hundred  dollars  for  the 
first  offense,  two  hundred  dollars  for  the  second  offense, 
doubling  the  amount  every  time.  Mrs.  Crandall,  if  you 
go  there  you  will  be  fined,  and  your  daughter,  Almira, 
will  be  fined,  and  Mr.  May,  and  those  gentlemen  from 
Providence  [Messrs.  George  and  Henry  Benson],  if  they 
come  here,  will  be  fined  at  the  same  rate.  And  your 
daughter,  the  one  ^hat  has  established  the  school  for  col- 
ored females,  will  be  taken  up  the  same  way  as  for  stealing 
a  horse  or  for  burglary.  Her  property  will  not  be  taken, 
but  she  will  be  put  in  jail,  not  having  the  liberty  of  the 
yard.  There  is  no  mercy  to  be  shown  about  it." 

Soon  after  this  Miss  Craudall  was  arrested  and  taken 


PROGRESS  OF  FREEDOM.  515 

to  jail  for  an  alleged  offense.  Her  trial  resulted  in  an 
acquittal,  but  her  establishment  was  persecuted  by  every 
conceivable  insult.  She  and  her  school  were  shut  out  from 
attendance  at  the  Congregational  Church,  and  religious 
services  held  in  her  own  house  were  interrupted  by  volleys 
of  rotten  eggs  and  other  missiles.  At  length  the  house 
was  set  on  fire,  but  the  blaze  was  soon  extinguished. 

In  1834,  on  September  9th,  just  as  the  family  was 
retiring  for  the  night,  a  body  of  men  with  iron  bars  sur- 
rounded the  house,  and  simultaneously  beat  in  the  windows 
and  doors.  This  shameful  outrage  was  more  than  they 
could  endure.  Prudence  Crandall  was  driven  at  last  to 
close  her  interesting  school  and  send  her  pupils  home. 
Then  another  town  meeting  was  held,  a  sort  of  glorifica- 
tion, justifying  themselves,  and  praising  their  Legislature 
for  passing  the  law  for  which  they  asked.  All  this  abom- 
inable outrage  I  well  remember,  and  am  glad  to  see  it 
called  up  in  Scribner's  Magazine  for  December,  1880.  A 
scathing  denunciation  of  the  outrage  was  published  in  the 
Boston  Liberator,  edited  by  William  Lloyd  Garrison. 

Prudence  Crandall  did  more  for  the  cause  of  freedom 
by  her  persistence  in  the  "Higher  Law"  doctrine  of  eternal 
right  than  the  most  eloquent  autislavery  lecturer  could 
have  accomplished  in  molding  public  sentiment  of  the 
whole  North.  Her  name  became  a  household  word  in 
thousands  of  Northern  homes.  When  we  see  the  changes 
forty  and  fifty  years  have  wrought  in  the  North,  surely 
we  may  look  forward  in  strong  faith  for  like  changes  to 
take  place  over  the  South.  It  may  take  longer,  but  come 
it  will. 

We  note  with  pleasure  the  rapid  strides  of  education 
among  the-  colored  people  in  sixteen  years.  In  1864-5  I 
visited  large  schools  in  slave-j)ens  that  had  become  useless 
for  the  purposes  for  which  they  were  designed.  The  stumps 
of  their  whipping -posts  and  the  place  of  the  dreaded 
auction  block  was  vacated.  Although  many  of  their  public 


51 G  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

schools  are  not  all  that  could  be  desired,  yet  they  have  them, 
and  they  are  doing  a  good  work.  In  Virginia,  beginning 
with  1871,  the  colored  children  enrolled  for  successive  years 
numbered  as  follows:  38,554;  46,736;  49,169;  54,945; 
62,178;  65,043;  61,772;  and  35,768.  In  South  Carolina 
the  enrollment  from  1870  was,  15,894;  38,635;  46,535; 
56,249;  63,415;  70,802;  55,952;  62,120;  and  64,095. 
lu  Mississippi,  beginning  with  1875,  the  enrollment  was 
89,813;  90,178;  104,777;  and  111,796.  At  the  present 
we  foot  up  the  astonishing  number  of  738,164  pupils. 
Maryland  has  appropriated  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum 
for  the  support  of  normal  schools  for  the  training  of  col- 
ored teachers.  An  ex-Confederate  and  ex-slave-holder  of 
high  degree  subscribed  five  thousand  dollars  toward  a  col- 
lege for  colored  people  under  the  patronage  of  one  of  the 
colored  Churches  in  the  State  of  Georgia.  All  honor  is  due 
such  noble  deeds.  May  there  be  more  to  follow  his  good 
example. 

From  the  best  authorities  Ave  have  the  figures  of  over 
a  million  communicants  among  the  colored  people  in  the 
United  States.  Of  those  in  the  Southern  States  we  have 
as  follows,  at  this  date,  1881 : 

African  Methodists, 214,808 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  (Colored),  .  112,000 

Colored  Baptist  Church, 500,000 

Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  Church,  ....  100,000 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 300,000 

Almost  every  Church  in  the  North  has  contributed  to 
educational  purposes  in  the  South,  but  they  are  doing  none 
too  much.  The  Friends  have  done  much  toward  support- 
ing a  school  in  Helena,  Arkansas,  under  the  supervision 
of  Lida  Clark,  an  untiring  worker  for  that  people.  But 
we  have  not  the  figures  of  amounts.  But  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  done,  and  is  still  doing,  a  great  work, 
as  our  figures  will  show,  in  building  commodious  school- 
bouses  in  various  States. 


MEHARRY   MKDICAL  COLLEGE,  NASHVILLE,  TENN. 


FREEDMEN'S  SCHOOLS.  517 

Schools  of  the  Freedmen's  Aid  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  for  1880-81  : 

CHARTERED   INSTITUTIONS. 

TEACHERS.          PUPILS. 

Central  Tennessee  College,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  12  433 

Clark  University,  Atlanta,  Ga., 7  176 

Claflin  University,  Orangeburg,  S.  C.,  ...  9  388 

New  Orleans  University,  New  Orleans,  La.,  4  200 

Shaw  University,  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,    .    .  8  277 

Wiley  University,  Marshall,  Texas,   ....  6  323 

THEOLOGICAL   SCHOOLS. 

Centenary  Biblical  Institute,  Baltimore,  Md.  4  118 

*Baker  Institute,  Orangeburg,  S.  C.,  .    .    .    .          ...  

*Thomson  Biblical  Institute,  N.  Orleans,  La.,         ...  

MEDICAL   COLLEGE. 

Mehary  Medical  College,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  .  8  35 

INSTITUTIONS   NOT   CHARTERED. 

Bennett  Seminary,  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  .  .   .  5  150 

Cookman  Institute,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  ...  5  166 

Haven  Normal  School,  Waynesboro,  Ga.,  .  2  60 

La  Grange  Seminary,  La  Grange,  Ga.,  ...  2  96 

-Meridian  Academy,  Meridian,  Miss.,    ....  2  100 

Rust  Normal  School,  Huntsville,  Ala.,  .    .    .  3  112 

Walden  Seminary,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,    ...  2  60 

West  Texas  Conf.  Seminary,  Austin,  Tex.,  3  101 

La  Teche  Seminary,  La  Teche,  La.,  ....  3  100 

West  Tennessee  Seminary,  Mason,  Tenn.,  .  2  75 

We  must  here  put  in  our  claim  for  the  sixty  thousand 
emigrants  in  Kansas  from  the  South.  The  Freedmen's 
Relief  work  iu  Kansas  has  been  thoroughly  organized  and 
officered,  and  the  contributions  received  for  the  refugees 
judiciously  distributed.  An  agricultural  and  industrial 
school  was  established  some  time  ago,  and  is  meeting,  so 
far,  with  good  success.  It  will,  if  properly  sustained,  prove 
to  be  a  blessing  not  only  to  the  colored  race,  but  to  the 
State.  From  a  circular  issued  in  June  last,  by  Elizabeth 
L.  Comstock,  one  of  the  superintendents  of  this  work,  I 
extract  the  following  paragraphs: 

"Our  first  object  is  to  employ  those  who  come  for  work 

*  Pupils  enumerated  in  Hie  other  schools. 


518  A  WOMAN'S  LJFK- \VOUK. 

< 

or  for  aid.  We  are  strongly  advised  by  their  best  friends, 
and  the  kiiid  donors  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  not  to  give 
any  thing  (except  in  return  for  labor)  to  those  who  are 
able  to  work,  especially  during  the  warm  weather.  Wages 
are  paid  regularly  every  Saturday,  and  they  come  with 
their  money  to  buy  and  select  from  the  stock  on  hand 
what  will  suit  themselves.  Second-hand  clothing  and  bed- 
ding have  a  price  affixed  almost  nominal.  Coats,  10  cents 
each  to  $1,  very  few  at  $1;  pants,  drawers,  shirts,  and 
vests,  5  cents  each;  shoes,  5  cents  a  pair;  stockings  and 
socks,  two  pairs  for  5  cents;  women's  dresses,  10,  20,  30, 
and  40  cents  each;  children's  clothes,  5  to  10  cents  a  gar- 
ment; bed-quilts,  comforters,  and  blankets,  20  to  50  cents; 
new  ones,  $1  each,  if  very  good.  New  shoes  and  other 
articles,  provisions,  etc.,  that  we  have  to  purchase  we  buy 
at  wholesale,  and  try  to  supply  them  below  the  market 
price,  some  of  them  at  half  the  retail  price.  Thus  what 
little  is  gained  on  the  old  clothes  makes  up  in  part  what 
we  lose  on  the  new.  .  We  could  employ  more  laborers  if  we 
had  more  money.  The  state  of  the  treasury  is  low  now. 
It  seems  hard  to  turn  away  any  poor  people  who  want  to 
work.  We  should  be  very  glad  of  help  just  now  in  the 
way  of  seed  for  sowing,  money  to  provide  food  and  shelter, 
and  to  finish  up  our  buildings.  We  greatly  desire  to  start 
several  industries  before  Winter,  as  blacksmith's  shop, 
carpenter's  shop,  broom  factory,  etc.,  etc.,  that  they  may 
have  work  during  the  cold  weather.  We  hope  to  have 
our  school-house  soon  ready  and  to  educate  the  children, 
and  have  an  evening  school  for  adults. 

"An  important  part  of  our  work  will  be  to  train  the 
women  and  girls  in  the  various  branches  of  household 
work,  and  sewing,  knitting,  etc.  Nor  do  we  lose  sight  of 
the  spiritual  garden  while  providing  for  the  intellectual 
fields  and  the  physical  wants.  We  greatly  desire  that  this 
long-oppressed  race,  who  have  been  kept  in  darkness  and 
ignorance,  should  have  the  light  of  the  glorious  Gospel, 


INDUSTRIAL    INSTITUTE.  519 

and  should  have  the  Bible  put  into  their  hands,  and  be 
taught  to  read  and  understand  it.  Of  course  we  meet  with 
some  opposition  in  our  work,  as  many  a  brave  soldier  has 
done  before  us,  in  battling  for  the  right  and  for  the  col- 
ored race." 

We  extract  an  item  from  the  Columbus  Courier  (Kan- 
sas) :  "We  are  proud  of  the  work  of  the  'Agricultural, 
Industrial,  and  Educational  Institute,'  and  earnestly  desire 
its  success,  and  we  feel  proud  of  these  good  men  and 
women  who  are  led  on  by  Mrs.  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock  at 
their  head,  and  Mrs.  Laura  S.  Haviland,  their  secretary. 
Characteristic  spirits  of  the  broad  philanthropy  of  our 
beloved  laud,  they  need  no  commendation  to  sustain  them. 
This  has  been  their  life-work,  and  they  now  select  our 
State  for  their  field  of  labor.  J.  E.  Pickering  was  chosen 
from  a  body  of  eighteen  directors  as  its  president,  because 
of  his  experience  in  this  kind  of  work,  having  at  one  time 
been  a  conductor  on  the  'Under  Ground.'  He  does  not 
receive  or  ask  for  salary.  He  only  presides  at  meetings 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  has  general  oversight  of  the 
work  in  progress.  His  son,  Lindly,  was  selected  by  the 
Board  according  to  the  expressed  wish  of  Mrs.  Comstock 
AS  superintendent.  His  wife  is  acting  in  the  capacity  of 
Aiatron,  but  neither  of  them  receives  a  salary,  and  they 
are  to  be  paid  by  some  friends  of  the  work  when  it  is 
established.  But  now  pay  is  a  matter  of  no  consideration. 
Charity  does  not  require  that  these  people  should  leave 
their  comfortable  homes  and  devote  their  time  and  energies 
to  the  laborious  duties  of  their  positions  without  some 
reward.  Forty  acres  of  the  four  hundred  upon  which  the 
institute  is  located  was  purchased  of  Lindly  M.  Pickering, 
at  one  hundred  dollars  less  than  he  could  otherwise  have 
obtained  for  it.  It  was  selected  for  its  improvements  and 
its  fine  location,  unsurpassed  in  the  country.  In  conclu- 
sion, we  desire  to  refer  to  the  good  management  with 
which  without  ostentation  its  affairs  are  vigorously  pushed 


520  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

forward,  believing  that  the  ever-living,  ever-aggress- 
ive principle  of  right  will  sustain  them  and  secure 
the  success  which  so  commendable  an  enterprise  de- 
serves. May  heaven  prosper  the  work  of  the  na- 
tion's truest  spirits  and  best  and  most  respected  citi- 
zens!" 

From  the  financial  statement  from  April  15,  to 
June  13,  1881,  we  find  that  there  has  been  received 
for  this  Industrial  Institute,  $6,931.96.  Two  large 
consignment  of  goods  were  received  about  the 
last  date  at  Columbus  by  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock  for 
the  same  object.  We  appeal  to  the  Christian  public 
to  give  us  at  least  one  school  in  Kansas  for  the  refu- 
gees. 

In  llth  month,  1882,  I  returned  from  the  school 
for  Freedmen  near  Columbus,  Kansas,  in  company 
with  my  dear  friend  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock,  who  had 
lost  her  health,  and  was  induced  after  her  return 
home  to  go  to  Dr.  Jackson's  Sanitarium,  N.  Y.  As 
she  found  herself  unable  to  go  to  Washington,  D. 
C. ,  according  to  President  Garfield's  advice,  about 
three  weeks  before  he  was  shot,  and  that  was  to  come 
at  the  next  session  of  Congress  and  he  would  aid  her 
in  getting  a  refunding  bill  through  Congress,  and 
advised  her  to  pay  the  duty  on  those  relief  goods, 
designed  for  our  disbursement  in  the  industrial  school 
she  had  inaugurated ;  as  Congress  had  passed  a  bill 
to  allow  all  relief  goods  to  pass  free  of  duty,  but  had 
limited  it  to  one  year,  and  we  had  forwarded  a  petition 
for  the  extension  of  this  favor,  as  relief  goods  .were 
already  in  the  custom  house  in  New  York,  Eliza- 
beth L.  Comstock  paid  out  of  her  own  private  means 
to  the  amount  of  $772.78.  As  I  saw  she  was  not 
able  to  assume  responsibilities  for  herself  or  any  one 


THE   ANGEL   OF  DEATH.  521 

else,  I  engaged  to  go  to  Washington  in  her  behalf; 
and  also  assumed  the  responsibility  of  soliciting  aid, 
to  save  the  farms  of  three  large  colored  families, 
who  through  illness,  were  not  able  to  make  their 
second  payments.  I  succeeded  in  securing  aid,  as 
those  payments  came  due.  According  to  the  request 
of  my  dear  son,  Joseph  B.  Haviland,!  went  to  Lan- 
sing to  meet  him  at  his  office  at  the  Capitol.  But 
instead  of  meeting  the  dear  familiar  face  of  my 
youngest  son,  I  met  his  clerk  and  the  governor,  who 
had  received  a  telegram  that  illness  prevented  his 
presence  with  them.  I  found  him  very  ill  with  a 
burning  fever,  and  was  permitted  to  be  with  him  but 
four  days,  when  he  left  the  shores  of  time,  in  the 
well  grounded  hope  he  expressed  a  few  days  previous- 
ly, "For  I  know  that  if  this  earthly  house  of  this 
tabernacle  were  dissolved,  I  have  a  building  of  God, 
a  house  not  made  with  hands  eternal  in  the  heavens." 
Oh,  how  severe  the  stroke!  How  keen  the  blow! 
To  see  the  ebbing  life  of  this  noble  son,  leaving  in 
meridian  of  life  his  lovely  family,  to  whom  he  was 
faithfully  devoted.  The  M.  E.  pastor,  of  the  church 
of  his  choice  being  present,  repeated, 

"Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed, 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 
While  on  his  breast,  I  lean  my  head, 
And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 

After  falling  asleep  in  Jesus,  his  dear  and  sorrow 
stricken  wife  and  two  lovely  daughters  with  myself 
and  other  relatives  and  pastor  knelt  around  the  bed 
in  prayer  and  renewed  consecration,  to  so  follow  our 
dear  Lord,  as  to  insure  this  confidence,  that  we,  too, 
know  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  After  a  few 
weeks  with  his  family,  under  this  wave  of  sorrow, 


522  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

accompanied  by  my  youngest  daughter,  A.  A.  Laing, 
I  went  to  Washington,  D.  C.  1st  month  27th,  1883, 
Hon.  Thomas  Ryan,  M.  C.,  of  Topeka,  Kansas,  in- 
troduced the  refunding  bill  in  favor  of  Elizabeth  L. 
Comstock.  I  called  on  a  number  of  both  Republi- 
can and  Democratic  parties  of  House  and  Senate. 

It  was  suggested  that  vouchers  from  the  custom 
house  in  New  York  might  be  necessary,  showing  that 
the  amount  called  for  in  the  bill  was  by  her  paid  on 
duty.  Accordingly  I  sent  to  the  New  York  custom 
house  and  secured  the  vouchers,  to  go  with  the  bill. 
Another  member  suggested  the  propriety  of  my  giv- 
ing an  affidavit  that  these  relief  English  goods  were 
used  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  donors.  As 
secretary  of  that  department  of  the  work,  I  gave  a 
legal  affidavit  also  to  go  with  the  bill.  With  the 
pledges  of  all  I  interviewed,  of  both  parties,  it  was 
thought  ultimate  success  quite  certain,  although  too 
late  in  the  session  for  its  passage;  "But  the  follow- 
ing longer  session,  would  pass  it  without  a  doubt," 
so  said  a  number  of  the  members. 

While  there  the  bill  passed  to  continue  the  favor 
of  relief  goods  passing  free  of  duty,  two  years  long- 
er. But  this  did  not  affect  the  goods  arriving  dur- 
ing the  interim,  between  the  two  bills. 

I  left  Washington  quite  at  ease,  over  the  prospec- 
tive favorable  passage  of  our  bill  during  the  next 
session  of  Congress,  and  spent  some  time  with  chil- 
dren, and  friends  in  Michigan;  during  this  time  I 
visited  the  state  prison  at  Jackson ,  and  through  the 
kindness  of  agent  and  chaplain  addressed  the  inmates. 
As  I  had  enjoyed  this  privilege  many  times  previous- 
ly, I  had  become  especially  interested  in  an  aged  In- 
dian, who  was  often  seen  in  tears.  I  had  made  up 


LOUIE  CONTOY'S  PARDON.  523 

my  mind  that  if  no  one  else  would  make  an  effort  for 
his  pardon,  I  would.  I  made  inquiries  as  to  his 
crime,  and  his  record  in  prison.  I  found  he  was  in- 
jured time  and  again  by  a  Frenchman,  until  he  took  the 
law  in  his  own  hands,  and  shot  the  man,  causing  his 
death,  and  that  made  him  a  life  prisoner.  The  chap- 
lain told  me  he  believed  he  was  a  Christian  man.  He 
was  ignorant  of  our  laws,  but  had  'become  much 
more  intelligent  since  coming  into  that  prison — had 
always  been  truthful  and  trustworthy .  He  had  been 
in  jail  and  in  that  prison  for  seventeen  years,  and 
not  a  scratch  of  a  pen  was  on  his  record.  I  took  the 
record  from  their  book  to  Gov.  Begole,  with  the  re- 
ports. Said  he,  with  tearful  eye;  "You  have  not 
come  to  me  with  a  long  list  of  the  names  of  judges 
and  jurors,  and  others  of  influence,  on  a  petition  to 
pardon  convicts  that  proved  to  be  among  the  worst 
men  we  had  in  this  prison ;  for  they  have  committed 
a  crime  within  two  to  four  weeks  that  sent  them  back 
within  those  prison  walls.  But  I  will  tell  you  what 
I  will  do  for  this  old  Indian  of  seventy-two  years,  I 
will  pardon  him.  But  the  state  allows  but  a  small 
pittance,  and  the  Chippawa  tribe  is  much  farther  than 
his  money  will  take  him,  and  how  will  he  reach  his 
home?"  I  told  him  I  would  see  to  that.  "Then  I 
shall  send  his  pardon  to  you."  After  my  business  in 
Adrian  was  accomplished,  I  wrote  to  the  governor 
I  was  ready  to  return  to  Chicago  and  for  Louie  Con- 
toy's  pardon.  I  received  it  too  late  for  the  train  that 
day,  but  June  18th,  1883,  2  o'clock,  p.  M.,  I  gave  the 
pardon  to  Agent  Pond;  and  asked  for  the  privilege  of 
interviewing  Louie  Contoy.  The  agent's  wife  and 
chaplain's  sister  went  with  us.  After  entering  the 
guard-room  the  agent  sent  a  convict  to  tell .  "Louie 


524  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

to  come  into  the  guard-room ;  that  Mrs.  Haviland 
wished  to  see  him."  He  came  in  with  a  look  of  as- 
tonishment. I  took  his  hand  saying,  "Louie,  I  have 
tidings  of  great  joy  for  you,  your  pardon  from  the 
governor!  You  leave  these  walls  this  afternoon  a 
freeman!"  By  the  quiver  of  his  hand,  while  wip- 
ing his  eyes  with  the  faded  calico  handkerchief  in 
the  other,  saying,  '-Big  thing — big  thing — for  poor 
Indian!"  That  was  all  he  could  say,  deep  feeling 
was  manifest.  As  we  took  seats  Agent  Pond  hand- 
ed the  order  to  go  to  their  store  for  his  freedom  suit, 
saying:  "Yes,  Louie,  Mrs.  Haviland  has  done  a 
great  thing  for  you  in  securing  your  pardon."  "In- 
deed, great  thing — great  thing — for  poor  Indian." 
Again  wiping  his  eyes.  "I  want  to  see  you  in  the 
parlor  as  soon  as  dressed."  And  soon  we  were  seat- 
ed in  the  parlor.  The  first  thing  I  presented  was 
the  temperance  pledge,  that  he  gladly  signed.  "I 
never  drink  but  little,  but  that  too  much.  I  see  so 
much  trouble  come  from  drink."  The  chaplain's 
sister  asked  him  how  he  felt  when  I  told  him  what  I 
did  in  the  guard-room.  "Can't  tell — choke  so." 
Still  insisting,  "Can't  tell,  only  chills  begun  at  my 
feet,  and  went  all  over  me."  When  he  first  came 
into  the  parlor  he  seemed  somewhat  embarrassed,  but 
soon  became  calm.  "It  look  so  strange,  that  you 
think  of  poor  Indian.  But  I  know  'twas  God  put  it 
in  your  mind,  'cause  I  so  often  prayed  that  God 
would  some  day  open  the  door,  and  let  me  go  back  to 
my  little  wife  and  three  children.  But,  oh,  how  I 
wish  my  wife  could  know  this ;  I  reckon  she'll  be 
crazy!"  I  wrote  a  postal  headed:  "The  dead  is 
alive,  the  lost  is  found!  Louie  Contoy  is  pardoned, 
and  will  be  home  in  a  few  days."  We  took  the  ev- 


REFUNDING    BILL.  525 

en  ing-  train  for  Chicago.  But  not  a  moment  that 
night  or  the  next  day  was  the  least  drowsy  feeling 
for  Louie  Contoy.  I  paid  over  $13  for  his  ticket  to 
land  him  within  six  miles  of  his  old  home.  I  soon 
received  a  letter  from  his  sister,  saying:  "We  never 
can  pay  you,  but  we  pray  God  to  do  more  than  we 
can  for  you.  He  will  bless  you  forever.  Please 
send  me  a  picture  of  my  brother's  benefactor,  and 
mine  too,  for  he  is  my  only  living  brother." 

In  the  following  Congress  our  refunding  bill  pass- 
ed the  Senate.  And  they  tried  to  pass  it  by  unani- 
mous consent  in  the  House,  but  objectors  prevented. 

After  spending  a  few  months  at  Deep  River,  North 
Carolina,  with  my  dear  invalid  grandson,  Wm.  W. 
Brownell,  his  mother  came  and  took  her  fading  star 
farther  south  for  the  balance  of  the  winter. 

Jan.  23rd,  1885,  I  left  dear  daughter  and  her  son, 
for  Washington,  to  do  what  I  could  in  the  passage 
of  our  refunding  bill  still  pending.  I  had  written  a 
number  of  the  members  of  the  House,  who  were 
ready  to  do  whatever  lay  in  their  power,  but  no  re- 
plies were  encouraging,  and  one  wrote,  "It  being  a 
short  session,  and  inauguration  soon  to  take  place, 
did  not  think  its  passage  possible,  with  so  many 
heavy  and  important  bills  pressing  for  passage." 
Nevertheless,  trusting  God  to  bring  out  the  silver 
lining  to  this  dark  cloud,!  went,  and  first  of  all  in- 
terviewed the  strongest  objectors.  Told  them  of  the 
widow  left  in  limited  circumstances,  who  paid  this 
amount  out  of  her  own  private  means,  which  was 
nearly  all  she  had,  in  confidence  that  Congress  would 
refund  it,  and  that  she  had  been  out  of  it  over  three 
years.  Each  one  interviewed,  pledged  at  once  to 
support  the  bill,  and  within  a  week  the  bill  passed  by 

85 


526  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

unanimous  consent. 

I  sent  for  Elizabeth's  power  of  attorney  to  enable 
me  to  collect  her  money,  and  I  thought  a  heavy 
weight  had  rolled  off  my  shoulders.  But  when  I 
went  with  legal  power  to  collect  it,  and  passed  near- 
ly or  quite  two  dozen  offices  for  endorsement,  and  at 
last  the  auditor  called  for  vouchers,  I  told  him  I 
secured  them  from  the  New  York  custom  house  when 
I  got  the  bill  introduced.  He  sent  his  messenger  for 
them  and  told  me  to  come  again  in  two  days  and  he 
would  probably  have  it  ready.  But  at  the  appointed 
time  they  had  not  been  heard  from.  I  went  to  the 
Capitol  for  them,  and  after  a  long  hunt  found  they 
were  lost.  They  were  in  the  hands  of  D.  C.  Haskill, 
M.  C.  from  Kansas,  who  died,  and  the  papers  had 
been  mislaid  and  lost.  I  went  to  the  auditor  with 
this  report,  then  he  wrote  for  a  duplicate,  but  no 
encouragement  came.  They  wrote  again,  and  again, 
at  length  $551  was  found,  but  I  refused  to  accept  it 
as  a  finale,  for  between  $700  and  $800.  Then  I  took 
a  discouraging  letter  to  the  Capitol,  and  called  out 
Thomas  Ryan,  who  read  the  letter,  and  said,  "What 
more  can  we  do?  What  can  I  do?"  "Did  thou  ex- 
amine those  vouchers  I  placed  in  D.  C.  Haskill's 
hands?"  "I  did."  "Did  the  figures  fully  meet  the 
demand  of  the  bill?"  "They  did."  "Willthougive 
an  affidavit  to  that  fact?"  "I  will  any  minute  they 
will  accept  it."  I  went  to  the  auditor  with  that  re- 
port. He  said  he  had  written  to  another  party,  hop- 
ing to  get  something  better,  and  I  kept  the  affidavit 
before  them,  and  they  kept  on  writing  till  after  six 
weeks  they  found  the  balance.  After  Igotthe  check 
I  stepped  into  the  auditor's  office  with  it  in  my  hand, 
and  said,  "I  called  to  return  my  sincere  thanks,  foi 


OUR   FRIENDS    DEPART.  527 

your  patience  with  my  persistence."  "We  think  you 
have  been  patient,  but  that  is  the  part  of  a  Quaker 
anyhow."  I  found  the  burden  was  longer  rolling  off 
than  I  anticipated  after  the  bill  passed  congress,  and 
received  the  President's  signature.  But  I  found  red- 
tape  was  still  as  brilliant  as  it  was  in  wartimes. 
Gladly  I  left  those  marble  pillars  and  granite  walls, 
for  Union  Springs,  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  E.  L. 
Comstock's  present  home.  Her  first  words  when  we 
met,  were,  "Laura,  let  us  sing  thedoxology." 

While  resting  a  couple  of  weeks  at  Union  Springs, 
I  received  a  telegram  informing  me  of  the  death  of 
my  brother,  Dr.  Sala  Smith,  of  Grand  Rapids.  He 
was  also  a  minister  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  fam- 
ily of  the  Church  of  Christ.  Another  wave  of  sor- 
row swept  over  us.  He  left  a  wife  and  two  sous.  We 
have  retained  our  number  five  nearly  thirty  years 
since  our  dear  sister,  Lydia  D.  Bailey,  was  suddenly 
removed  by  death,  leaving  her  husband  and  four  chil- 
dren. Thus  we  are  called  one  by  one,  to  join,  as  we 
have  good  reason  to  believe,  the  innumerable  throng 
that  no  man  can  number,  whose  robes  are  washed  in 
the  blood  of  the  lamb,  where  all  tears  are  wiped 
from  every  eye. 

In  the  following  autumn,  Nov.  3rd,  dear  Br.  Har- 
vey Smith  left  this  transitory  life  for  the  mansions 
Jesus  went  to  prepare  for  all  who  love  and  keep  his 
commandments.  He  left  an  only  son,  who  wrote  the 
request  of  his  father  to  write  me  that  he  had  no 
fears,  no  misgivings,  whatever  concerning  the  future. 
All  was  well  with  him.  He,  too,  was  an  earnest 
Christian.  School-teaching  was  mostly  his  life  work. 
He  taught  fifty  consecutive  years,  except  one.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 


528  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

June  13th,  1885,  another  wave  of  bereavement 
overtook  our  household  in  the  decease  of  my  grand- 
son, Wm.  W.  Brownell,  who  went  rejoicing  in  the 
glorious  assurance  of  an  abundant  entrance  into  the 
realms  of  eternal  day. 

Eighth  month,  19th,  my  grand-children,  Ralph  E. 
and  Lucy  A.  Brownell,  were  called  to  part  with  their 
sweet  son,  Charlie,  of  twenty-two  months. 

Within  a  few  months  four  of  our  dear  ones  were 
trans-planted  from  earth  to  glory ;  from  the  infant  to 
the  aged.  Well  may  we  repeat, 

"The  fields  are  all  white,  the  harvest  is  near, 
The  reapers  prepared,  with  their  sickles  appear." 

We  must  hasten  to  the  2nd  month,  1886.  Arrived 
at  my  Englewood  home  to  find  waiting  a  package  of 
letters,  with  one  from  dear  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock, 
informing  of  the  decision  of  the  court  in  favor  of 
Ann  Jameson's  will,  of  Rockland,  Maine,  who  left 
four  thousand  dollars  to  be  devoted  to  the  colored 
people  of  Kansas,  who  had  been  slaves,  or  children 
of  slaves.  She  left  C.  E.  Littlefield,  attorney  at 
Rockland,  Maine,  and  Elizabeth  L.  Comstock,  now 
of  Union  Springs,  Ca3ruga  county,  N.  Y.,  her  exec- 
utors. The  relatives  made  an  effort  to  break  the 
will,  and  kept  it  in  litigation  over  two  years.  Three 
thousand  dollars  to  be  invested  in  land  for  home- 
steads for  worthy  homeless  families.  The  balance 
to  aid  Evangelical  churches  for  that  people.  As 
three  thousand  dollars  was  now  ready  for  E.  L.  Corn- 
stock's  disbursement,  she  wished  me  to  secure  passes 
for  us  to  Kansas  and  return.  They  were  secured  for 
three  months.  But  weather  still  too  rough,  we  de- 
ferred to  first  of  fourth  mouth. 

Here  clouds  began  to   gather ;  the   appointed  time 


WORKING    FOR   THE    FREEDMEN.  529 

for  our  leaving  for  Kansas,  illness  in  her  family,  also 
in  my  own,  prevented.  A  few  days  later  a  letter 
from  E.  L.  Comstock  stated  that  she  could  not  go, 
and  that  I  must  go  without  her,  and  accept  her  pow- 
er of  attorney,  and  act  in  her  stead  in  conjunction 
with  her  bondsman,  A.  B.  Whiting,  of  Topeka, 
Kansas.  Darker  grew  the  cloud,  as  she  informed  me 
of  her  own  severe  illness.  But  all  was  left  with  the 
great  Disposer  of  events.  As  soon  as  returning 
health  was  apparent  in  myself  and  in  my  daughter's 
family,  I  secured  the  company  of  a  young  woman, 
and  though  pale  and  thin,  felt  confident  that  the 
Good  Shepherd  had  opened  the  door  for  me  to  enter 
and  do  the  work  he  would  grant  strength  to  accom- 
plish. I  went  with  only  five  weeks  left  of  the  three 
months  passes.  But  with  the  responsible  party,  A. 
B.  Whiting,  we  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  rich  black  soil,  and  we  are  hoping  to  secure 
forty  acres  more  adjoining  this  plat,  which  will  make 
quite  a  little  colony  of  ton  acres  each.  I  saw  great 
improvements  among  those  who  came  in  1879  to 
1882,  over  50,000  during  the  mission  work  of  E.  L. 
Comstock  and  myself  in  aiding  the  poorest  of  the 
poor,  in  helping  themselves.  A  large  majority  have 
purchased  homes  of  their  own.  But  their  emigration 
to  Kansas  has  steadily  progressed.  But  not  in  as 
large  companies  as  those  first  years  referred  to.  They 
are  doing  as  well  as  any  class  of  people,  who  go  in- 
to a  new  country  with  little  or  nothing  but  their 
hands  to  do  with. 

I  traveled  over  five  hundred  miles  through  the  state 
and  found  our  co-laborers  still  doing  a  good  work  at 
various  points.  Emily  P.  Newcomb,  M.  D.,  founder 
of  Samaritan  mission,  at  Kansas  City, Kansas;  Prof. 


530  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

Andrew  Atchison,  founder  of  Dunlap  Academy  for 
colored  people,  and  Julia  A.  Wilson,  founder  of  a 
training  school  for  colored  children,  at  Baxter 
Springs,  Cherokee  county,  Kansas.  Remarkable  im- 
provements in  every  respect  were  clearly  seen.  The 
self-sacrificing  spirit  of  these  workers  together  with 
God,  in  uplifting  the  lowly  in  their  moral  and  spir- 
itual life  was  apparent  to  all  impartial  observers.  At 
Lawrence  I  visited  the  interesting  Indian  school  of 
three  hundred  and  forty-eight  pupils. 

On  my  way  to  Dunlap,  Kansas,  last  spring  to  assist 
in  locating  land  for  the  Jameson  estate,  it  was  my 
good  fortune  to  visit  the  Samaritan  mission  at  Kan- 
sas City,  Kansas,  founded  by  Emily  P.  Newcomb  and 
still  under  her  superintendence.  Miss  Newcomb  has 
rare  qualifications  for  mission  work.  She  comes  of  a 
family  of  educators — is  a  college  graduate,  and  also 
has  a  diploma  from  a  medical  college.  She  was  for 
many  years  a  successful  worker  in  missions  in  Chica- 
go, and  also  at  the  south.  We  are  glad  to  present 
our  readers  with  a  cut  of  the  building  just  purchased  for 
a  home  for  this  worthy  mission  which  was  founded  in 
1880 ;  chartered  in  1883.  It  is  under  the  management 
of  a  board  of  trustees,  composed  of  prominent  resi- 
dent business  men,  on  the  Kansas  side  of  the  state  line. 
Here  at  the  junction  of  the  Missouri  with  the  Kan- 
sas river  is  where  the  more  than  60,000  colored  refu- 
gees from  the  South  between  1879  and  1885  (and  they 
still  come  in  less  numbers)  first  reached  soil  that  had 
not  been  blighted  by  slavery.  It  is  here  that  the 
aged,  the  widow,  the  orphan,  the  destitute  and  suf- 
fering of  every  degree  fall  by  the  way,  consequently 
at  this  point  there  is  massed  a  large  population  of  ex- 
ceedingly ignorant,  destitute  and  superstitious  peo- 


SAMARITAN  MISSION, 
NOS.  15O  &  152  WOOD  ST.,  KANSAS  CITY,  KANSAS. 


HELL'S  HALF  ACRE.  531 

pie  of  every  color  and  condition — men,  women  and 
children — crowded  together  in  rickety  hovels,  where 
stagnant  water  stood  the  year  round,  the  very  air 
impregnated  with  the  heavy  sickening  odor  of  the 
packing  houses.  No  tongue  or  pen  can  describe  the 
wretchedness  that  existed  in  that  locality  known  and 
appropriately  designated  as  "Hell's  Half  Acre," 
which  embraced  a  large  area  on  either  side  of  the 
state  line.  At  that  time  no  mission  work  had  been 
attempted  or  suggested  for  the  elevation  of  this 
seething  mass  by  either  church  or  state. 

Dr.  Emily  P.  Newcomb  was  providentially  led  to 
this  heretofore  helpless  field,  where  no  one  seemed 
to  care  for  the  souls  or  bodies  of  those  despised  peo- 
ple. Single  handed  and  alone,  with  strong  faith  in 
God  and  humanity  she  established  a  day  and  evening 
school  in  a  small  shanty,  with  such  encouraging  suc- 
cess that  in  the  course  of  the  year  1880  a  cheap  building 
was  erected  by  subscriptions  obtained  by  her,  and 
volunteer  teachers  secured  for  the  first  year  ensuing. 
The  work  has  been  systematized  and  new  branches 
added.  No  less  than  three  efficient  workers  have  re- 
sided in  the  mission  building  and  devoted  their  en- 
tire time  to  the  work,  while  three  physicians  outside 
of  the  regular  work  have  rendered  their  services  free 
of  charge. 

A  free  Kindergarten  school  in  the  morning,  an  af- 
ternoon school  for  those  who  have  to  help  at  home 
part  of  the  day  (and  if  the  baby  cannot  be  left  at 
home  it  is  brought  along  and  cared  for  in  the  cottage 
home  adjacent  to  the  school;)  anight  school  for 
youth  and  adults,  who  are  employed  during  the  day, 
have  been  interesting  features  of  this  work  from  its 
very  inception. 


532  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

The  large  and  flourishing  Sunday  school  connected 
with  this  work  is  a  model  of  good  order,  conducted 
by  the  resident  teachers,  who  in  all  the  departments 
of  this  work,  do  as  much  work  as  is  usually  done  by 
many  a  large  corps  of  teachers. 

While  this  work  is  chiefly  for  the  colored  people, 
there  are  always  some  whites  included. 

Saturday  is  devoted  to  industrial  and  dispensary 
work — the  women  and  girls  and  boys  are  taught  to 
sew,  to  cut  and  fit  garments  and  also  to  mend.  Here 
the  sick,  who  are  unable  to  pay  for  medical  advice 
or  medicines,  are  cared  for  by  the  best  medical  talent 
of  the  city — an  average  of  one  hundred  such  treat- 
ments being  given  every  month.  One  feature  of  this 
work  is  to  advise  families  to  seek  homes  iy  the  coun- 
try, and  also  to  place  orphan  and  destitute  children 
in  good  families. 

Thus  this  work  is  a  "drummond  light"  in  a  dark 
place  to  those  who  need  it  most,  and  as  long  as  the 
colored  people  in  the  south  continue  to  augment  their 
numbers,  and  the  great  unoccupied  West  offers  homes 
and  protection  to  all,  irrespective  of  condition  and 
color,  the  work  that  the  Samaritan  mission  has  so 
well  in  hand  will  be  needed. 

Situated  near  the  state  line  of  Missouri — the  old 
ex-slave  state  that  has 'not  forgiven  Kansas  for  com- 
ing into  the  Union  as  a  free  state — the  color  preju- 
dice is  practically  stronger  here  than  it  was  in  Geor- 
gia and  Alabama  in  1878-79. 

The  building  erected  on  ground,  the  use  of  which 
was  kindly  given  by  the  Stock  Exchange  company 
(Col.  E.  F.  Morse,  superintendent),  becoming  too 
small,  a  large  building  and  grounds  have  been  pur- 
chased for  seven  thousand  dollars,  repairs  and  fittings 


REV.    J.    E.    ROY.  533 

costing  one  thousand  more.  Two  thousand  and  five 
hundred  dollars  of  this  amount  has  been  paid  by  sub- 
scription, and  five  hundred  more  has  been  pledged. 

The  mission  is unsectarian  and  undenominational, 
yet  thoroughly  Christian.  It  has  received  no  aid 
from  any  of  the  various  missionary  societies,  but  is 
dependent  for  support  upon  private  subscriptions 
from  friends  of  the  colored  people.  Churches  and 
missionary  societies  claim  to  have  been  mortgaged 
for  other  work.  Here  is  a  fine  opportunity 
for  the  philanthropist  to  contribute  to  the  support 
of  a  work  that  challenges  the  admiration  of  the 
world. 

No  general  on  the  battlefield  has  ever  shown  more 
courage,  bravery,  self-denial,  and  perseverance  than 
has  Emily  Newcomb,  M.  D.,  and  her  noble  helpers 
down  there  in  that  modern  Sodom.  The  debt  on 
the  building  and  grounds  should  not  only  be  paid, 
but  a  generous  endowment  provided  for  the  support  of 
the  work. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  good  things  said  by 
those  who  are  personally  conversant  with  the  work: 

FROM  REV.  J.  E.  ROY,  FIELD  SUPT.  A.  M.  A. 

From  my  personal  knowledge  of  your  long  and 
successful  experience  in  the  management  of  charit- 
able institutions  and  secular  affairs  requiring  finan- 
cial ability,  I  feel  assured  that  nothing  will  be 
wanting  on  your  part  to  secure  success  in  the  most 
worthy  and  philanthropic  enterprise  in  which  you 
are  engaged.  Your  energy,  personal  sacrifice,  and 
undoubting  faith,  perseverance  and  enthusiastic  de- 
votion to  the  work  of  elevating  humanity,  will  be  a 
sufficient  guarantee  of  success  to  all  who  have  been 
familiar  with  your  labors  in  the  years  that  are  past. 


534  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

I  can  say  we  have  not  on  hand  any  "Exodus  Sup- 
plies," and  if  wo  should  have  any  more,  could  not 
dispose  of  them  outside  of  the  regular  agencies  of 
the  A.  M.  A.  I  hope  you  will  succeed  in  your  wor- 
thy effort  to  elevate  those  who  need  and  deserve  help 
the  most — it  deserves  thousands. 

FROM  REV.  ROBERT  COLTER. 

If  there  is  any  good  work  to  do  for  God's  poor  any- 
where you  can  do  it.  In  the  days  we  were  working  to- 
gether in  the  city  mission  in  Chicago,  you  were  nev- 
er found  wanting.  *  *  I  look  back  to  those  days 
with  real  gratitude  that  I  had  one  so  wise  and  of 
such  uncommon  ability,  in  such  whole-hearted  earn- 
est, to  do  the  woman's  share — the  share  that  no  man 
can  do.  You  work  steadily  and  well  and  do  not 
know  how  to  quit  till  your  work  is  done.  May  God 
bless  you  abundantly,  and  till  your  hands  down  there 
as  He  has  filled  your  heart. 

FROM    REV.    R.    M.    TUNNELL,    PASTOR  CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCH,  WYANDOTTE. 

The  inherent  value  of  the  self-sacrificing  work  in 
behalf  of  humanity,  which  i.s  being  done  by  Miss 
Newcomb  and  her  co-workers  at  Half  Acre  Mission 
cannot  be  over-estimated.  Half  Acre  Mission  sup- 
plies a  want  long  felt,  and  its  beneficent  effects  are 
apparent  wherever  its  influence  has  extended,  in 
homes  made  happy  by  Christian  sympathy  and  assis- 
tance, souls  inspired  by*  higher  and  nobler  impulses, 
and  marked  improvement  in  general  moral  tone  of 
the  people  for  whose  elevation  the  Mission  was  found- 
ed. This  is  a  work  of  intelligent,  self-sacrificing, 
Christian  philanthrophists,  which  is  bearing  fruit  for 
time  and  eternity. 


HALF  ACRE  MISSION, 
MARCH,  1880. 


HALF  ACRE  MISSION, 
AUGUST,  16SQ. 


OPINION    OF   TRUSTEES.  535 

WHAT   THE    RETIRING    TRUSTEES    SAY. 

Miss  E.  P.  NEWCOMB,  Supt.  Half  Acre  Mission, — 
In  retiring  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Half  Acre 
Mission  we  avail  ourselves  of  this  opportunity  to  as- 
sure you  of  our  continued  interest  in  the  success  of 
the  mission,  and  we  feel  assured  that  our  successors 
will  do  everything  that  can  be  done  to  maintain  the 
high  character  which  H.  A.  Mission  has  among  the 
institutions  of  the  city;  your  untiring  devotion  to 
your  work  and  unprecedented  success  in  procuring 
supplies,  and  drawing  around  you  zealous  and  able  co- 
workers,  together  with  the  well  known  exalted  char- 
acter of  the  new  board  of  trustees  is  the  best  possi- 
ble guarantee  of  the  continued  prosperity  of  the 
Mission  in  Kansas  City.  GEO.  M.  SHELLEY.  • 

E.  L.  MARTIN. 

KANSAS    CITY    TIMES. 

The  Mission  inaugurated  by  the  philanthropic  Miss 
Xewcomb,  in  that  degraded  locality  known  as  "Hell's 
Half  Acre,"  has  produced  a  wonderful  change.  Its 
beneficial  results  are  seen  on  every  hand,  and  those 
who  predicted  a  failure  at  the  outset  are  now  loudest 
in  its  praise. 

FROM   COL.  VAN  HORN,  EDITOR  KANSAS  CITY  JOURNAL. 

The  work  in  which  you  have  been  engaged  in  this 
city  has  done  great  good — in  fact  wonders — among 
those  who  need  such  efforts  the  most.  Any  contri- 
bution for  your  benevolent  enterprise  will  be  real 
gifts  to  those  who  have  fewest  friends,  and  will  be 
faithfully  used  for  the  purest  purposes  of  charity. 
In  this  work  you  have  the  sympathy  and  confidence 
of  all  our  best  people. 

FROM   KANSAS   CITY   EVENING   STAR. 

This  is  a  method  of  doing  good   which   appeals  di- 


536  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

rectly  to  every  good  citizen,  and  to  everybody  hav- 
ing the  good  of  mankind  at  heart.  There  is  no  sen- 
timentality about  it. 

FROM  ELDER  BORING,  CHICAGO. 

Having  known  you  for  twenty  years  as  a  success- 
ful missionary  worker,  I  feel  that  your  beneficent  en- 
terprise will  not  admit  of  any  such  word  as  failure. 
You  have  my  entire  confidence  and  esteem  as  an 
earnest,  conscientious,  Christian  worker,  and  many, 
in  the  future  as  in  the  past,  will  rise  up  and  call  you 
blessed  for  the  aid  and  comfort,  both  temporal  and 
spiritual,  extended  to  the  poor  and  friendless.  May 
God  abundantly  bless  you  and  your  work. 

FROM  BISHOP  CHARLES  EDWARD  CHENEY,  CHICAGO. 

With  pleasure  I  hear  of  your  success  In  mission 
work  among  the  poor  and  destitute  in  Kansas  City. 
Having  known  you  in  Chicago  for  many  years  as  a 
most  consistent  and  self-sacrificing  Christian  worker 
in  connection  with  the  various  charitable  institutions 
here,  I  feel  confident  that  with  God's  blessing  you 
will  be  the  means  of  great  good  wherever  you  may 
labor. 

TESTIMONIAL   OF    FRIENDS. 

We,  the  undersigned  friends  and  patrons  of  the 
Samaritan  mission,  most  cordially  add  our  testimony 
to  the  efficiency  of  the  institution  that  has  accom- 
plished unprecedented  results  in  bettering  the  condi- 
tion of  a  class  that  are  generally  overlooked,  and 
we  feel  confident  that  funds  intrusted  to  the  manage- 
ment of  this  worthy  charity  will  be  prudently  and 
judiciously  applied. 

Hon.  D.  E.  Cornell,  Armstrong  &  Moyer,  Eds.  Gazette, 

S.  N.  Simpson,  J.  R. Hardy, Supt.  K.C.,St.  Jo  &  C.  B.R.K. 

Judge  F.  B.  Anderson,  Hon.  G.  M.  Shelley, 

Smith  &  Keating,  S.  B.  Bell. 


OPINIONS   OF   THE   PRESS.  537 

Henry  Hopkins,  D.  D.,      L.  Milton  Marsh,  Sec.  A.  M.  S.  S.  Union, 

Ramsey,Millet  &  Hudson,  Woodward  &  Faxon, 

Judge  Arnold  Krekel,       Keith  &  Perry, 

James  A.  Bovard,  Hon.  T.  B.  Bullene. 

FROM  REV.  J.  H.  JACKSON,  OF  GRAND  AVE.  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

Having  been  acquainted  with  the  work  under  your 
charge  from  its  beginning  in  this  city  I  take  pleas- 
ure in  saying  that  it  is  undoubtedly  worthy  of  the 
hearty  sympathy  and  support  of  all  the  friends  of 
humanity  and  the  lovers  of  His  cause. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  MID-CONTINENT. 

If  you  cannot  leave  your  homes  and  loved  ones, 
your  business  or  pleasures — will  you  not  by  your 
sympathy  and  means  make  it  possible  for  those  who 
are  on  the  field  and  have  the  work  so  well  in  hand- 
to  continue  this  work  which  has  already  accomplish- 
ed so  much  and  has  such  bright  prospects  for  the  fu- 
ture. There  is  no  field  that  will  yield  richer  fruit — 
in  return  for  labor  and  money  expended — while  this 
work  is  evangelical — it  is  wholly  unsectarian — tak- 
ing the  pupils  and  the  adults  just  where  the  public 
school  and  church  cease  to  have  any  influence. 
Sama'ritan  mission  must  have  an  endowment  fund. 
Who  will  give  it,  and  let  the  institution  bear  the 
name  of  the  giver. 

Danville,  N.  Y. 

E.  P.  NEWCOMB — My  Dear  Friend: — You  have  the 
assurance  of  my  love,  sympathy,  and  prayers  going 
with  thee.  Commending  thee  to  the  care  of  the  lov- 
ing Father,  in  whose  service  thou  art  so  faithfully 
laboring,  I  am  as  ever, 

Thy  affectionate  friend, 

ELIZABETH  L.  COMSTOCK. 

DR.  NEWCOMB. — We  feel  sure  that  the  work  you 
are  engaged  in  is  very  near  the  heart  of  Christ — and 
36 


538  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

great  blessings  must  follow  your  self-sacrificing  and 
persistent  labor  in  the  cause  of  a  despised  and  down- 
trodden race.  S.  B.  BELL,  D.  D. 

With  great  pleasure  have  I  noticed  from  time  to 
time  the  success  of  the  Samaritan  mission — among  a 
class  that  can  only  be  reached  by  mission  Avork. 
May  God's  blessing  continue  to  rest  upon  it,  and 
abundant  means  be  supplied  to  aid  this  noble  chari- 
ty. JOHN  P.  ST.  JOHN. 

EXTRACT    FROM    MID-CONTINENT — SAMARITAN   MISSION. 

We  are  pleased  beyond  expression  to  see  the  name 
of  our  friend,  Miss  Newcomb,  superintendent  of 
Samaritan  mission  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  among 
those  who  last  week  received  the  degree  of  "Doctor 
of  Medicine"  from  one  of  the  medical  colleges  of 
our  city — an  honor  well  earned — and  well  bestowed, 
We  not  only  congratulate  Miss  Newcomb,  who  by 
the  most  commendable  exertion  has  stepped  to  a 
higher  plane  and  more  extended  usefulness — but  we 
also  are  grateful  to  the  management  of  Samaritan 
mission  for  sustaining  in  our  midst  so  efficient  and 
eminently  successful  a  worker  in  the  most  unprom- 
ising mission  field  to  be  found  anywhere.  We  be- 
lieve the  richest  blessings  will  continue  to  come  to 
this  grand  work. 

TRUSTEES.  ADVISORY  BOARD. 

.1.  W.  DEAL,  HON.  BYRON  JUDD, 

J.  D.  HUSTED,  COL.  C.  F.  MORSE, 

S.  C.  MOODY,  NICHOLAS  MCALPIN, 

C.  W.  CHASE,  E.  E.  RICHARDSON, 

D.  S.  YOUNG,  Treasurer.  COL.  D.  E.  CORNELL, 

THSPFNSARY  c'  A>  BR«CKETT, 

i^jxoAiti.  JUDGE  ARNOLD  KUEKEL, 

PROF.  T.  S.  WHITE,  M.  D.  HON.  V.  J.  LANE, 

L.  R.  CHESTER,  M.  D.  A.  N.  MOVER. 

E.  P.  NEWCOMB,  M.  D. 

Post  office  address  for  all  mail  to  this  mission  is  "  Station  A" 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 


CHAPTER  XX. 
CLOSING  SCENES. 

The  20th  and  last  chapter  of  "A  Woman's  Life 
Work,"  with  testimonials  and  voice  of  the  press, 
closes  its  written  record  to  this  date,  March  15,  1887. 

The  encouragement  by  ready  sales  of  2,500  copies 
of  "A  Woman's  Life  Work,"  without  a  systematized 
plan  of  securing  canvassers,  induces  the  author  to 
issue  the  4th  edition,  now  being  placed  in  a  pushing 
firm  that  allows  a  royalty.  As  the  preceding  small 
editions  have  been  prayerfully  sent  on  their  mission 
of  love,  so  is  this,  trustingly  placed  before  an  indul- 
gent public,  in  remembrance  that  the  two  talents 
were  doubled  by  the  using,  in  accordance  with  the 
Master's  charge,  as  well  as  the  brilliant  five.  We 
thank  God  and  take  courage. 

When  we  look  over  the  many  departments  of  the 
field  so  white  to  the  harvest,  and  so  few  laborers, 
our  continued  prayer  to  the  Lord  of  this  vast  har- 
vest field  is,  to  send  forth  more  laborers,  endued  with 
power  from  on  high. 

Never  was  the  Macedonian  cry  louder  and  more 
thrilling  than  that  of  to-day.  "Go  work  in  my 
vineyard,"  is  reaching  many  open  ears,  whose  eyes 


540  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

have  received  the  second  anointing  and  see  clearly 
the  importance  of  obeying  the  call  and  command. 
But,  oh,  how  few  are  prepared  to  respond,  "Here 
am  I,  send  me  to  work  at  home  or  abroad." 

Oh,  how  many  excuses  we  bring!  "We  must 
provide  for  our  homes,  our  household  cares  are 
pressing  upon  us;  "and  then  we  have  a  solid  wall 
against  which  we  lean  as  we  repeat,  "He  that  pro- 
videth  not  for  his  own  house,  is  Avorse  than  an  infi- 
del." Surely  I  am  excused.  Self  is  not  liable  to 
curtail  expenditures,  either  in  time  or  money.  But 
we  may  bear  in  mind  that  we  have  an  arch  enemy, 
who  is  an  expert  in  presenting  scripture ;  he  tried 
his  skill  while  presenting  himself  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  but  received  a  summary  discharge.  Here  is 
the  liquor  traffic  that  is  destroying  body,  soul  and 
spirit  of  100,000,  annually,  many  of  whom  are  the 
best  minds  of  this  nineteenth  century.  This  enemy 
must  be  driven  to  the  wall  by  the  aid  of  Him  who 
is  strength  in  weakness,  and  a  present  help  in  this 
time  of  great  need ;  we  shall  in  His  name  succeed. 
This  is  the  "Irrepressible  Conflict"  of  our  day.  The 
saloon  must  go,  the  fiat  of  the  Almighty  has  gone 
forth  and  workers  together  with  God  are  in  the 
field,  holding  the  fort,  while  new  soldiers  are  en- 
listing and  marching  to  the  front. 

There  are  in  this  warfare  many  departments,  calling 
for  persevering,  energetic,  self-sacrificing  workers, 
who  stand  shoulder  to  shoulder,  with  united  aspira- 
tions, aims,  and  oneness  of  purpose,  and  are  bound 
heart  to  heart  in  this  great  moral  conflict,  who  are 
obeying  marching  orders  to 

"Rescue  the  perishing,  and  care  for  the  dyini:." 

We  praise  the  Lord  for  baptizing  so  large  a   pro- 


THE   IRREPRESSIBLE   CONFLICT.  541 

portion  of  the  sisterhood  for  this  work,  for  we  do 
believe  our  Bible,  that  no  drunkard  am  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  or  inherit  eternal  life.  A 
wise  man  has  said,  "Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink 
is  raging;  and  whoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not 
wise."  Pro v.  23-29:  "Who  hath  woe?  Who  hath 
sorrow?  Who  hath  contentions?  Who  hath  bab- 
bling? Who  hath  wounds  without  cause?  Who 
hath  redness  of  eyes?  They  that  tarry  long  at  the 
wine,  they  that  go  to  seek  mixed  wine.  Look  not 
thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when  it  giveth 
his  color  in  the  cup,  when  it  moveth  itself  aright; 
at  the  last  it  biteth  like  a  serpent  and  stingethlike  an 
adder."  Never  was  the  call  louder  and  more  thrill- 
ing from  mountain  top  and  valley,  from  the  lakes 
to  the  gulf,  from  ocean  to  ocean  than  it  is  of  to-day. 

Gilded  saloons  are  abundant,  they  are  the  parlors 
of  his  Satanic  majesty  to  allure  the  unwary  youth 
the  unsophisticated  victim.  While  in  Washington, 
D.  C.,  I  passed  a  saloon  whose  proprietor  had  soaked 
sawdust  in  stale  beer,  and  sowed  it  half  a  block, 
each  side  of  his  saloon,  to  induce  those  of  morbid 
appetites  for  alcoholic  drinks,  to  give  him  a  call,  and 
the  increased  five  and  ten-cent  drinks,  he  thought  well 
paid  him  for  his  sowing.  We  are  humiliated  over  the 
fact  that  over  1,200  saloons  live  in  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  beside  two  in  the  capitol ;  one  for  the 
House,  the  other  for  the  Senate. 

A  noble  spirited  man  of  Illinois,  Daniel  B.  Turner, 
wrote  a  petition  to  prohibit  the  liquor  traffic  in  our 
great  national  emporium,  that  was  presented  in  1880, 
signed  by  90,212  persons;  though  it  was  tabled,  he 
continues  to  work  for  prohibition,  and  in  1884  was 
burned  in  effigy  for  his  prohibition  principles.  But 


542  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

truth  will  never  die.     It  is  co-existent  with  God,  and 
will  co-extend  with  him. 

"Truth  crushed  to  earth,  shall  rise  again, 
The  eternal  years  of  God,  are  hers, 
While  error  wounded,  writhes  in  pain, 
And  dies  amid  his  worshipers." 

I  listened  to  an  interesting  anecdote  years  ago  of 
an  experience  with  a  rattlesnake,  in  a  new  portion  of 
Kentucky,  where  they  were  quite  numerous  at  that 
day.  A  man  was  walking  leisurely  and  espied  a  very 
large  rattlesnake  on  the  road  side,  and  he  fully  deter- 
mined to  kill  the  hated  reptile,  but  halted  a  mo- 
ment to  view  the  bright  even  spots  of  yellow  and 
black,  and  thought  what  a  beautiful  dress  for  a 
snake !  While  looking  at  its  head  the  eyes  assumed 
the  beautiful  rainbow  hues,  and  more  and  more  beau- 
ful  it  became,  as  it  seemed  to  enlarge  to  an  enor- 
mous size,  increasing  in  splendor,  until  the  most 
beautiful  creature  he  ever  beheld  was  before  him. 
At  this  juncture,  a  neighbor  happened  to  pass  that 
way,  and  called  out,  "Jim,  what  are  you  about? 
Come  away  from  that  monster  rattlesnake!"  And 
he  took  him  by  the  arm  and  jerked  him  away. 
"Then,"  said  he,  "I  found  myself  so  weak  and  sick  that 
I  was  hardly  able  to  walk  home.  I  had  no  strength 
to  kill  the  snake,  and  left  that  job  for  my  friend 
to  do."  This  episode  was  related  about  forty  years 
ago  in  an  Anti-Slavery  convention,  by  a  Christian 
friend,  who  had  left  Kentucky  on  account  of  his  abo- 
lition principles,  and  applied  his  charmer  to  slavery, 
and  said  he  was  too  weak  to  kill  the  serpent,  and 
left  it  for  his  friends  to  accomplish  the  work,  refer- 
ring to  John  G.  Fee's  persecutions  at  that  time.  I  pre- 
served this  anecdote  in  my  diary  of  that  date,  and 
find  it  quite  as  appropriate  in  our  warfare  with  the 


PHUDENCE  CRANDALL  PHILEO.       543 

liquor  traffic.  Many  dear  friends,the  moderate  drink- 
ers are  warned  of  their  danger,  hut  they  are  confi- 
dent of  keeping  the  serpent  alcohol  at  bay  and 
heed  not  the  pleadings  of  friends,  until  the  will 
power  is  too  weak  to  withstand  the  charmer,  and 
are  compelled  to  leave  this  work  for  their  friends  to 
accomplish. 

Surrounding  influences  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
mind  are  beyond  conception.  Forty,  and  fifty  years 
ago,  public  sentiment  said,  neither  "Indians  nor 
Negroes,  could  ever  be  educated." 

We  look  back  to  those  days,  when  persecution 
was  in  a  perfect  raging  fever;  producing  mobs  in 
many  places,  as  in  the  case  of  Prudence  Crandall 
of  Windham  Connecticut,  who  opened  a  school  for 
girls  in  Canterbury  Green.  As  a  sketch  of  her  per- 
secutions and  loss  of  property  were  referred  to,  on 
pages  513-14  and  515,  I  again  refer  to  her  in  the 
sequel,  showing  the  onward  march  of  our  world.  I 
had  not  heard  from  her  for  many  years,  until  in  my 
recent  trip  to  Kansas  I  heard  Mrs.  Prudence  Cran- 
dall Phileo  had  settled  at  Elk  Falls,  Elk  County, 
Kansas,  where  she  enjoys  her  own  pleasant  home, 
though  a  lone  widow  bearing  the  weight  of  four 
score  years.  But  after  she  left  Connecticut,  the 
Legislature  of  that  State  passed  a  law  to  award 
Prudence  C.  Phileo  four  hundred  dollars  annually, 
during  her  natural  life.  In  the  answer  to  the 
member  of  that  body  who  informed  her  of  the  fact, 
she  replied  that  for  persecution  she  could  take  nothing, 
but  if  they  granted  this  favor  in  view  of  the  loss  of 
property  she  sustained,  it  was  gratefully  accepted. 
Her  deep  and  abiding  interest  in  children  and  youth 
is  undying.  While  in  Kansas  last  May,  she  wrote, 


544  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  wofcK. 

she  would  gladly  meet  me  at  Emporia,  were  it  not 
for  her  annual  banquet  for  the  children  of  that  dis- 
trict, soon  to  take  place  in  a  grove,  where  she 
furnished  bread  and  honey.  (She  had  spoken  for 
thirty  loaves  of  bread,  and  the  crock  of  honey  she 
manufactured  herself). 

After  temperance  songs,  discoursed  by  the  children 
and  others,  a  court  was  to  be  opened  to  try  King 
Alcohol  who  was  arrested  under  many  indictments, 
judge,  jurors,  and  lawyers,  with  many  witnesses,  were 
to  be  present.  And  as  she  was  engaged  to  defend  the 
accused,  she  could  not  leave  her  client,  but  invi- 
ted me  to  attend  the  banquet  and  court.  Had  not 
distance  forbidden  the  privilege,  I  should  have  enjoy- 
ed the  treat,  of  seeing  King  Alcohol  impeached, 
notwithstanding  the  ironical  eloquence  of  Prudence, 
so  wise  and  discreet,  as  her  name  indicates. 

We  cannot  close  our  history  without  giving  honor 
to  those  tried  and  true  souls  who  so  bravely  battled 
for  freedom;  the  students  and  teachers  of  Raisin 
Institute.  The  following  paper  was  read  by  Mr. 
Harmon  Camburn,  at  the  reunion  of  the  students  of 
Raisin  Institute,  held  at  Bent  Oak  farm,  June,  1886. 

RAISIN  INSTITUTE. 

"They  are  perpetual  benefactors  who  set  agencies 
for  good  in  motion  that  will  continue  their  work 
through  succeeding  years,"  is  a  true  sentiment,  that 
has  been  given  to  us,  in  various  forms,  by  different 
writers. 

We  claim  this  title  for  those  who  founded  the 
Raisin  institute;  and  for  those  teachers  wljo  carried 
it  through  all  its  trials  and  triumphs  during  its 
twenty  years  of  existence. 

In  opening  one  of  the  first  permanent  schools  of  its 


RAISIN    INSTITUTE.  545 

class  in  the  state,  they  not  only  supplied  the  want 
felt  by  all  western  colleges  for  a  good  preparatory 
school,  but  they  furnished  the  requisite  education  to 
the  youth  of  this  section  to  intelligently  conduct 
their  private  affairs,  and  such  public  business  as 
might  be  entrusted  to  them.  They  sowed  the  seeds 
that  have  multiplied  and  spread  through  the  school 
system  of  the  state.  The  influences  that  had  their 
origin  here  are  still  at  work.  Formerly  the  school 
facilities  afforded,  were  only  the  district  school,  and 
the  academy  under  private  control.  The  district 
schools  were  taught  mostly  by  those  who  had  follow- 
ed the  tide  of  immigration  into  the  state  and  become 
financially  stranded.  Having  the  rudiments  of 
knowledge  at  theh\  command,  and  sufficient  muscle 
to  flourish  the  birch  and  swing  the  ferrule,  they  were 
will  ing  to  replenish  their  purses,  and  find  shelter  for 
the  winter  by  teaching  the  young  back- woodsman  to 
write  and  cypher. 

There  were  no  graded  schools  in  the  state.  The 
sectarian  colleges  at  Adrian,  Albion,  Hillsdale  and 
Olivet  were  not  in  existence.  We  had  no  state 
normal  school  or  agricultural  college.  The  famous 
university  of  Michigan  was  yet  in  embryo.  There 
was  a  pressing  demand  for  some  place  within  the 
borders  of  the  state  where  teachers  for  the  primary 
schools  could  be  fitted  for  their  work;  and  where 
young  men  and  women  could  round  out  their  limited 
acquirements  for  the  active  duties  of  life. 

To  fill  this  void,  Chas.  Haviland,  and  Laura  S., 
his  wife,  assisted  by  Harvey  Smith,  decided  to  start 
a  school,  on  the  Oberlin  plan,  on  their  farm  in  the 
township  of  Raisin.  The  ground  principle  of  this 
institution  was  "The  perfect  equality  of  all  mankind,'' 


546  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

Its  doors  were  to  be  open  to  all  persons  of  good 
moral  character,  without  regard  to  sex,  color,  previ- 
ous condition  or  religious  preferences.  Its  objects 
were  to  enlighten  and  elevate,  both  mentally  and 
spiritually,  and  to  inculcate  personal  freedom  as  the 
spirit  of  American  government.  Temporary  cottages 
were  built  to  accommodate  fifty  pupils,  where  they 
could  either  board  themselves  or  hire  their  board,  as 
best  suited  their  means  or  convenience.  The  well- 
known  anti-slavery  principles  of  the  proprietors 
were,  at  that  day,, very  unpopular,  and  the  prospect 
of  meeting  in  classes  with  colored  people  was  not 
pleasant  to  young  "Michiganders."  But  the  thirst 
for  knowledge  was  strong;  and,  the  way  being  open, 
it  was  not  neglected. 

In  May,  1839,  school  was  opened,  with  P.  P.  Roots 
and  wife,  of  Oberlin,  in  charge.  Students  came 
from  near  and  far,  to  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles,  and  filled  the  rooms  to  their  full  capacity. 
This  worthy  couple  were  teachers  of  a  high  grade, 
and  did  their  best  for  the  pupils,  both  as  to  their 
studies,  and  their  spiritual  welfare.  Many  who 
entered  their  school  wild  and  untamed,  came  out 
regenerated.  A  high  tribute  is  paid  to  them  both,  in 
a  recent  letter  from  Rev.  S.  B.  Smith  of  Ohio,  who 
was  under  their  tuition.  Among  other  things  he 
says  to  Mr.  Roots:  "My  association  with  you  was 
at  the  crisis  of  my  life."  Again  he  says:  "My  rec- 
ollections of  Raisin  institute  are  very  vivid.  It  was 
at  the  turning  point  of  my  life." 

P.  P.  Roots,  now  a  man  of  seventy-nine  years, 
says:  "Many  of  our  scholars  were  well  advanced. 
My  impression  is  that  we  lived  in  a  slab  shanty,  and 
that  the  school  was  taught  in  a  similar  building,  but 


p.  p.  ROOTS.  547 

our  scholars  learned  and  did  well  if  we  did  lack 
splendor.  And  they  succeeded  well  as  they  went  out 
into  employment."  Roots  and  wife  remained  in 
charge  until  the  spring  of  1842,  when  they  went  West 
to  start  a  like  school  at  West  Point,  Iowa.  Their 
well  directed  labor  had  made  a  marked  impression  on 
the  future  of  southern  Michigan.  The  leaven  that 
had  gone  out  from  them  was  working  in  the  primary 
schools  of  the  surrounding  country.  There  were  two 
or  three  negroes  in  attendance  each  term,  and  the 
unflinching  zeal  of  the  supporters  of  the  institute  in 
the  anti-slavery  cause,  together  with  the  fact  that 
fugitives  from  slavery  were  secreted  and  helped  to 
Canada,  gained  the  institute  the  name  of  "Nigger 
school."  Although  the  pupils  were  not,  by  any 
means,  all  abolitionists,  none  were  ever  willing  to 
betray  a  fugitive.  In  spite  of  the  then  unpopular 
attitude  of  the  school  in  this  respect,  it  was  kept  run- 
ning the  next  year  with  Chambers  as  principal. 

In  the  fall  of  1843,  John  Patchin,  of  Oberlin  col- 
lege, took  up  the  reins,  and  held  them  during  the  six 
months'  school  of  the  two  following  winters,  when 
he  returned  to  Oberlin  to  complete  his  college  course. 
The  name  of  this  modest  and  tender-hearted  gentle- 
man is  handed  down  to  us  of  a  later  generation  as  a 
model  teacher  and  an  exemplary  Christian.  The 
educational  interest  or  religious  enthusiasm  started 
by  his  predecessor  did  not  suffer  loss  at  his  hands. 
Under  his  instructions  the  school  progressed,  and  its 
fame  spread  abroad.  Directors  of  district  schools 
came  here,  seeking  teachers,  and  the  fact  that  one 
was  from  Raisin  institute  was  a  first-class  recommend. 
The  kindliest  feelings  prevailed  between  teacher  and 
pupils.  He  speaks  of  the  latter  as  "young  ladies  and 


548  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

gentlemen,  who  were  ambitious  to  learn,  were  of 
good  moral  principles,  and  were  willing  to  conform 
to  wholesome  regulation." 

To  free  the  premises  from  the  burden  of  taxation, 
and  place  it  on  a  more  solid  basis,  the  Raisin  institute 
was  incorporated,  by  act  of  legislature,  March  17, 
1847.  The  trustees  were  Elijah  Brownell,  Eliphalet 
Jones,  Wm.E.  Warner,  Samuel  A.  Hubbard,  Joseph 
L.  Peters,  Steven  Allen,  and  Anson  Backus. 

The  stock  was  to  be  divided  into  one  thousand 
shares,  of  ten  dollars  each.  However,  no  great 
number  of  shares  were  ever  sold ;  and  the  proprietor- 
ship remained  about  the  same  as  at  first,  except  when 
death  occasioned  the  change.  The  objects  stated  in 
the  charter  were  "To  instruct  young  persons  in 
modern  language,  literature,  and  the  arts  and 
sciences."  The  young  searchers  after  knowledge  did 
not  confine  their  experiments  entirely  to  the  dem- 
onstration of  Graham's  theories.  Some  had  a  great 
desire  to  witness  the  effect  of  imagination  on  the 
physical  system.  At  that  time  Spaulding's  pills 
were  a  sovereign  balm  for  all  bodily  ailments.  One 
student  had  provided  himself  with  a  supply,  which 
he  dispensed  to  all  who  asked,  until  only  the  empty 
box  was  left.  With  the  all-healing  remedy  exhaust- 
ed, another  student  was  violently  sick,  and  made  an 
earnest  appeal  for  the  only  efficient  aid.  The  pill 
dispenser,  in  his  kindness  of  heart,  readily  promised 
the  needed  relief.  Hastening  to  his  room,  he  quick- 
ly rolled  some  pills  from  buckwheat  dough,  gave 
them  a  shake  in  the  box,  and  took  them  to  the  suf- 
ferer. The  effect  was  most  satisfactory,  and  the  cure 
speedy,  and  the  victim  ever  after  sang  the  praises  of 
Spaulding  and  his  wonderful  discovery. 


DEATH  OF  CHAS.  HAVILAND.         549 

The  school  enjoyed  a  great  degree  of  prosperity, 
till  the  spring  of  1849.  Then  clouds  seemed  to  gather 
thick  around  it.  Chas.  Haviland  had  died  in  1845, 
leaving  the  heft  of  the  burden  on  Mrs.  Haviland. 
Yet  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  Dolbeare  and  Mr.  Patchin, 
she  had  successfully  carried  on  the  work  she  had 
undertaken.  But  now  Mr  Dolbeare  had  died,  and' 
Mr.  Patchin  was  to  leave  her  to  devote  himself  to  the 
ministry.  The  temporary  buildings  that  had  been  in 
use  for  ten  years  were  becoming  unfit  for  use.  If  the 
school  was  to  go  on,  new  quarters  that  were  suited 
to  the  requirements  of  a  growing  country  must  be 
erected.  Time  would  be  required  to  do  this,  and  it 
was  thought  best  to  close  the  institute.  Thus  ended 
the  first  decade  of  one  of  Lenawee's  oldest  landmarks. 
This  was  the  school  where  the  would-be  professional 
men  of  this  section  prepared  themselves  for  college. 
Many  of  our  older  business  men  and  best  farmers 
here  received  all  the  instruction  they  had  outside  the 
district  school.  They  went  out  from  here  to  become 
bankers,  ministers,  lawyers,  doctors,  farmers,  and 
general  men  of  business.  Some  have  been  called  to 
represent  their  districts  in  the  councils  of  the  state. 
And  some  with  no  other  school  advantages  have  been 
noted  teachers  in  the  union  schools  of  our  cities. 
Here  a  desire  for  better  school  facilities  for  the  com- 
ing generation  was  engendered,  and  the  love  for 
universal  liberty  was  grafted  on  their  hearts  to  stay. 
Many  young  gentlemen  and  ladies  having  formed  the 
habit  of  pursuing  their  studies  and  of  attending 
church  together  found  it  so  unpleasant  to  break  up 
the  custom,  they  formed  partnerships  for  life;  or, in 
other  words,  they  agreed  they  "Must  pull  in  double 
harness  the  rest  of  their  natural  life."  Many  a  bright 


550  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

and  happy  family  can  attest  the  truth  of  this  last 
statement.  Golden  memories  of  the  days  spent  under 
the  guidance  of  Mrs.  Haviland,  P.  P.  Roots  and  wife, 
John  Patchin  and  wife,  and  other  respected  teachers, 
still  linger  fresh  in  the  minds  of  their  old  pupils,  now 
advanced  to  be  the  grandfathers  and  grandmothers 
of  our  community. 

With  the  close  of  the  institute,  seekers  for 
educational  advancement  in  this  section,  were  thrown 
back  upon  the  old  plan  of  short  term  academies. 
But  the  institute  was  not  dead.  It  was  destined 
to  rise  up  and  flourish  for  a  season.  From  this  point 
through  all  its  trials,  struggles,  disappointments, 
progress  and  triumphs,  it  must  rest  on  the  shoulders 
of  a  lone  woman — Laura  S.  Haviland.  While  her 
"deep  and  abiding  sympathy  for  the  oppressed  and 
sorrowing  of  every  nation,  class  or  color,"  were  call- 
ing from  her  exertions,  that  would  have  discouraged 
a  resolute  man,  she  did  not,  for  a  moment,  relax  her 
efforts  for  continuing  the  school  that  had  become  to 
her  a  valued  means  for  the  dissemination  of  moral, 
spiritual  and  intellectual  truths.  Men  of  experience 
would  have  persuaded  her  to  abandon  the  half  com- 
pleted new  buildings  and  give  up  the  cherished  pro- 
ject. But  time  has  shown  that  where  others  had  to 
be  content  with  failure,  she  would  take  nothing  but 
succees.  Casting  off  none  of  her  other  burdens,  and 
with  the  load  of  debt  still  pressing,  she  at  last  raised 
means  to  re-open  school  in  a  two-story  building 
thirty  feet  wide  by  sixty-six  feet  in  length.  The 
rooms  were  demanded  faster  than  the  workmen  could 
get  them  ready;  and  in  the  fall  of  1856,  Raisin  insti- 
tute was  again  upon  its  feet,  with  G.  W.  Walker,  of 
Oberlin  college  as  principal,  and  a  full  house.  The 


DEATH  OF  FRANCIS  M.  OLCOTT.        551 

former  fame  and  the  desirable  country  location,  com- 
pletely isolated  from  the  vicious  allurements  that 
cluster  around  cities,  brought  to  the  institute  so 
many  that  the  accommodations  were  inadequate. 
While  everything  was  moving  along  nicely  during 
this  year,  a  similar  building  to  the  one  now  in  use, 
that  had  been  used  as  a  water  cure,  was  moved  near 
to  the  other,  and  doubled  the  capacity. 

In  the  spring  of  1857,  Mr.  Walker  returned  to 
Oberlin,  to  finish  his  course  at  college.  In  the  fall 
of  1857,  Jos.  D.  Millard  was  installed  as  principal, 
with  the  important  advantage  of  having  the  sexes 
room  under  separate  roofs,  while  they  mingled  in 
recitations  and  on  the  recreation  grounds.  There 
were  eighty-three  advanced  students  in  attendance 
this  year. 

The  snows  of  midwinter  brought  with  them  to  the 
institute,  the  frank,  open  hearted,  genial,  Christian 
gentleman,  Francis  M.  Olcott,  of  the  normal  school 
at  Ypsilanti.  His  kindness  and  sunny  temperament, 
made  friends  of  all  his  acquaintance.  Strict  in 
discipline,  and  thorough  in  instruction,  he  encouraged 
independent  thought,  and  allowed  a  wide  range  of 
discussion  in  the  advanced  classes.  Under  his  ad- 
ministration the  school  attained  its  highest  prosperity. 
He  arranged  to  purchase  the  institute,  and  remained 
in  charge  until  the  spring  of  1861.  About  this  time 
his  health  began  to  fail,  and  he  retired  to  Washtenaw 
county,  his  home,  where  he  died  soon  after.  His 
pupils  mourned  him  as  a  friend  and  guide  as  well  as 
instructor.  His  teachings  will  be  remembered  while 
they  live.  May  they  emulate  his  example. 

The  cloud  of  war  that  burst  over  this  country  in 
1801  also  cast  a  shadow  over  the  school.  The  first 


552  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

call  for  seventy-five  thousand  men  took  five  directly 
from  the  institute,  and  several  others  who  had  been 
absent  teaching  during  the  Avinter,  enlisted,  instead 
of  returning  to  school.  Notwithstanding  the  excite- 
ment incident  to  a  civil  war,  E.  A.  Haight  and  Miss 
Patterson  successfully  carried  the  school  forward 
during  the  academic  year  of  '61  and  '62,  with  upward 
of  fifty  enrolled  during  the  year.  Mr.  Haight  says: 
"The  year  was  characterized  by  earnestness,  zeal  and 
progress  in  all  the  studies  pursued."  He  also  states 
that  the  rhetorical s  were  always  given  before  a 
crowded  house.  The  war  fever  became  too  strong  to 
allow  an  able-bodied  man  to  rest  easy  at  home,  and 
in  1802,  Mr.  Haight  enlisted,  as  also  did  some 
students.  The  school  was  continued  in  the  winter  of 
'62  and  '63  by  Jas.  H.  Cogshall  and  Sarah  Smith,  and 
during  the  winter  of  '63  and  '64  by  F.  R.  Aldrich 
and  Lizzie  Johnson. 

The  spring  of  1864  closed  the  career  of  the  institute 
as  a  house  of  learning.  The  excitement  and  confusion 
attending  the  war  had  produced  its  effect;  and 
school  was  permanently  closed.  Seventeen  students 
and  two  teachers  had  enlisted,  and  nearly  every 
scholar  had  a  relative  or  near  friend  in  the  army. 
Amid  such  general  distraction  further  efforts  was 
deemed  useless. 

It  was  the  design  of  Mrs.  Haviland  to  convert  the 
premises  into  a  home  for  soldiers'  orphans,  but  the 
necessity  arising  for  a  freedman's  home,  it  was  tem- 
porarily so  used;  and  after  as  an  orphans'  home. 
The  efforts  of  Mrs.  Haviland  and  others  to  get  the 
state  to  take  charge  of  these  orphans  led  to  the 
founding  of  the  state  industrial  school  at  Coldwater. 
Of  the  students,  some  fill  soldiers'  graves.  The 


CLOSE    OF    RE-UNION.  O  53 

others  are  scattered  all  over  the  states  and  territories. 
You  will  find  them  in  all  the  trades  and  professions, 
and  occupying  places  of  profit  and  trust.  Each  seems 
to  have  found  a  niche  that  he  can  fill  acceptably.  The 
lady  students  you  will  find  prominent  in  all  the  good 
works  of  to-da}-.  They  are  the  proud  mothers  of 
young  men  they  are  rearing  up  to  tread  in  the  foot- 
prints of  the  boy  soldiers  who  went  forth  to  defend 
their  country  twenty-five  years  ago.  The  restrain- 
ing influences  they  swayed  so  gently  in  school  days, 
intensified  and  sanctified  by  time,  still  pervade  the 
atmosphere  of  their  presence.  Propriety  never  had 
to  blush  for  one  of  them. 

God  bless  them,  and  the  old  days  of  the  institute. 

H.  C. 

At  the  close  of  this  re-union  at   four   P.   M.  we  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing parting  lines. 

"We  hope  you'll  all  remembered  be, 
II'  you  on  earth  no  more  wo  see, 
An  interest  in  your  prayers  we  crave, 
That  we  may  meet  beyond  the  grave. 

O  blessed  day,  O  glorious  hope, 
Our  hearts  leap  forward  at  the  thought, 
When  in  that  happy,  happy  land, 
\\V11  no  more  take  the  parting  hand." 

L.  S.  H. 

With  faith  in  the  Almighty  power  to  arm  and 
equip  his  workers,  we  are  confident  of  success,  with 
voice,  pen,  and  ballot,  all  consecrated  to  principle. 
Leaving  policy  and  expediency  to  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest,  we  will  work  with  the  Grand  army  of  Tem- 
perance; with  Frances E.  Willard,  of  Evanston,  Illi- 
nois; Sallie  Chapin,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
with  hosts  of  others  whose  lives  are  given  to  this 
Christ-like  work,  beside  strong  men  who  are  spending 
and  being  spent,  this  heaven-born  cause,  is  marching 
37 


554  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

to  the  front,  irrespective  of  party  affiliations.  Our 
W.  C.  T.  Unions  are  already  spanning  every  known 
nation  on  this  habitable  globe.  Our  Japanese, 
Chinese  and  African  neighbors  are  not  slighted. 

God  created  the  whole  human  family  of  one  blood, 
and  has  declared  himself  no  respecter  of  persons. 

We  accept  the  cardinal  truth  that,  "Our  country 
is  the  world,  our  countrymen,  are  all  mankind," 
knowing  no  North,  no  South,  no  East,  no  West. 
On  this  broad  platform  persecutions  come,  our  brave 
and  faithful  men  are  burned  in  effigy  and  Haddocks 
are  slain. 

Yet  wo  will  toil  on,  undismayed,  injfaith  unfeigned, 
until  the  emblazoned  banner  of  victory,  "For  God, 
and  Home,  and  Native  Land,"  shall  float  from  the 
beak  of  the  snow  white  dove  of  peace :  while  we  sing — 

Eternal  Father!  thou  hast  made, 

A  numerous  family  thy  care ! 
Nor  sable  hue,  nor  caste,  nor  grade, 

Excludes  the  meanest  from  thy  share. 

Of  kindred,  blood,  and  flesh  thtf&ime, 
In  thy  pure  sight,  of  equal  tj$rth, 

Then  why  should  rum  the  sceptre  claim, 
And  crush  the  drinker  to  the  earth? 

"Sow  thy  seed  in  the  morning,  in  the  evening 
withhold  not  thy  hand,  for  thou  knoAvest  not,  whether 
this  or  that  will  prosper." 


ENGLEWOOD,  MABCH  11,  1889. 

As  late  in  the  evening  of  life  as  eighty  years,  a 
vivid  panorama  rises  before  me  in  a  retrospective 
view  of  forty  and  fifty  years.  Never-dying  Truth 
has  made  rapid  strides  upward  and  onward.  Then 
the  dark  spot  of  slavery  had  long  defaced  our 


A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK.  555 

national  escutcheon.  We  saw  it  swept  away,  but  oh, 
how  hard  was  that  serpent  to  die !  Persecution  ran 
rife;  mob  law,  instead  of  God's  law,  ruled  in  many 
places.  Now  its  twin  monster  serpent,  the  liquor 
traffic,  is  before  us ;  and  every  debate  upon  this  sub- 
ject in  legislative  bodies  brings  its  doom  nearer. 
Every  submission  to  the  votes  of  the  people  for  pro- 
hibitory amendment  of  the  constitution  uplifts  public 
sentiment;  although  all  that  is  desirable  may  not  be 
accomplished,  yet  it  is  not  failure,  as  the  tidal  wave 
is  being  prepared  to  take  another  higher,  broader,  and 
still  more  effectual  sweep  in  clearing  away  the  rubbish 
that  may  have  settled  on  the  sandy  beach.  Every 
onward  march  of  reform  was  indicated  when  my  old- 
time  friend,  Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison,  said,  "Talking 
will  create  zeal;  zeal,  opposition;  opposition  will  drive 
men  to  inquiry ;  inquiry  will  induce  conviction;  con- 
viction will  lead  to  action;  action  will  demand  union, 
and  then  will  follow  victory."  Agitation — agitation; 
keep  the  ball  rolling !  is  the  watchword  of  the  W.  0. 
T.  II,  and  all  earnest  temperance  workers.  In  this 
onward  march  women  are  taking  higher,  broader 
ground.  Forty  and  fifty  years  ago  pulpits  were  closed 
against  them  (with  few  exceptions);  now  they  are 
open  to  them  (except  the  few).  Women  now  occupy 
pulpits  as  pastors  in  some  churches.  Now  they  are 
admitted  to  the  bar  as  lawyers  ;  they  are  occupying 
positions  of  trust  and  honor.  As  educators  in  our  high 
schools,  and  lecturers  on  all  moral  reforms,  woman 
stands  on  the  same  platform  with  her  brother.  She 
is  permitted  to  raise  her  voice  in  legislative  halls  on 
social  impurity,  and  other  crying  sins  of  our  day,  for 
they  are  legion.  Our  young  state,  Kansas,  has  taken 
the  lead  in  granting  her  that  powerful  agent,  the  ballot, 


556  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

and  more  are  to  follow.  Discussion  upon  all  reforms 
will  cleanse  the  muddy  waters  of  a  corrupt  public 
opinion;  and  the  ruling  politics  of  to-day,  if  done  in 
the  sweet  spirit  of  the  Master,  by  consecrated  souls, 
baptized  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  whose  hearts  the 
Comforter  is  an  abiding  guest,  with  His  refining  and 
purifying  influence  permeating  the  whole  being — 
this  is  the  preparation  of  heart  that  will  give  the 
tongue  answers  from  the  Lord.  This  preparation  is 
imperatively  called  for  in  all  workers  together  with 
God  in  pulling  down  the  stronghold  of  the  liquor 
traffic  with  His  battalion  of  forces.  In  this  spirit  com- 
promises are  ignored,  policy  may  lay  aside  her  plea, 
the  eloquent  pleading  of  expediency  is  not  heeded. 
In  the  burning  words  of  Garrison,  "I  will  not  retreat 
a  single  inch.  I  will  not  prevaricate,  and  I  will  be 
heard."  In  faith  that  works  by  love  we  toil  on  to 
victory.  I  close  this  fourth  edition  with  the  poems 
presented  on  the  anniversary  of  my  80th  birthday. 


The  first  three  stanzas  from  Prof.  A.  E.  Haynes, 
of  Hillsdale  College. 

The  silver  years  have  passed  away, 

The  golden  ones  are  coming  ; 
Be  thankful  for  those  years  to-day, 

That  brought  life's  noon  and  morning. 

The  goldeu  years  before  you  lie, 

You  stand  within  their  portal, 
The  golden  with  the  silver  tie, 

Weave  them  with  hopes  immortal. 

So  shall  you  pass  the  "golden  gate," 

The  gate  of  joys  supernal, 
And  standing  at  their  entrance,  wait, 

With  joy,  the  years  eternal. 


A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK.  557 

The  following  poem  wasread  during  the  evening  by  the  author, 
Rev.  John  0.  Potter. 

LAURA  S.  HAVILAND,  AGED  80,  DECEMBER  20,  1888. 
[A  Quakeress,  Anti-Slavery  Heroine,  etc.] 

Yea,  eighty  years  of  toil  and  strife, 
That  measures  thy  eventful  life, 
Historic  period,  so  rife 

With  questions  to  maintain. 
When  thy  young  girlhood's  life  began, 
Our  Nation's  woes  in  currents  ran, 
Of  war  and  strife  and  blood  of  man, 

Throughout  our  vast  domain. 

But  clouds  of  sorrow  rolled  away, 
A  brighter  dawn's  refulgent  ray 
Broke  o'er  the  land — a  blessed  day, 

To  light  the  Nation's  path. 
Then  steady  growth  we  thought  secure, 
Began  the  nations  to  allure, 
And  peace  and  plenty  promised  sure, 

In  place  of  woe  and  wrath. 

Here  Freedom  flung  her  banner  wide, 
In  conscious  strength  and  boasted  pride, 
And  all  the  world  defied, 

On  sea  or  sounding  shore. 
But  ah!  within  the  realm  was  found, 
A  foe  more  subtle  and  profound, 
That  dealt  to  us  a  ghastlier  wound 

Than  ever  known  before. 

You  saw  one  blot  of  deepest  stain, 
That  burned  with  most  appalling  pain, 
Where  fellow  man  in  slavish  chain 

Within  the  mart  was  sold. 
You  heard  the  cry  upon  the  stand , 
That  rang  through  all  the  Southern  land: 
"How  much,  how  much  for  this  new  brand 

Of  human  form  and  mold? 


558  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK. 

"  I  'm  bound  to  sell  him  here  to-day: 
A  thousand!  did  I  hear  you  say? 
Ah,  fifteen  hundred  you  must  pay 

Before  you  get  this  man. 
He's  tall  and  comely,  lithe  and  long, 
His  brawny  muscles  hard  and  strong. 
He 's  gifted  well  in  cheer  and  song." 

And  high  the  bidding  ran. 

"Now  men,  look  here!"    Upon  the  stand 
There  stood  a  female,  tall  and  grand, 
No  finer  form  in  all  the  land. 

" How  much,  how  much  I  say! 
Go  on,  your  bids  are  all  too  low. 
A  thousand — fifty — sixty — no 
Give  fifteen  hundred,  and  I  know 
You  '11  buy  a  queen  to-day." 

The  mart  was  closed;  the  slaves  around, 
In  little  groups  in  shackles  bound, 
Sent  upward  such  a  wail  of  sound 

That  touched  the  heart  above. 
The  mother  from  the  babe  was  torn; 
The  father  from  his  son  was  shorn; 
And  what  could  lovers  do  but  mourn, 

With  broken  chords  of  love. 

You  stood  and  saw  this  horrid  shame, 
Your  wrath  was  kindled  to  a  flame, 
You  knew  there  rested  all  this  blame 

Upon  a  Nation's  heart. 
You  saw  them  sold  like  herds  of  swine, 
Those  beings  formed  like  the  Divine: 
And  led  away  from  Mammon's  shrine, 

And  none  to  take  their  part. 

Then  came  your  fixed,  eternal  stand: 
"  I  '11  do  my  best  to  break  this  band, 
And  never  cease  while  in  this  land 

A  bondsman  comes  to  me." 
Down  by  the  swollen  river's  side, 
You  met  them  coming  o'er  the  tide, 
And  gave  them  shelter,  food  and  guide. 

To  find  their  liberty. 


A  WOMAN'S  LIFE  WORK.  559 

Then  once  again  when  war's  alarm 
Nerved  the  whole  Nation's  mighty  arm, 
To  break  the  fetters  of  this  charm, 

That  bound  this  vast  domain. 
You  hurried  where  the  thunders  woke, 
You  plodded  through  the  battle's  smoke, 
And  to  the  fallen  heroes  spoke, 

And  soothed  their  wounds  and  pain. 

You  heard  the  scream  of  shot  and  shell, 
You  saw  the  writhing  forms  that  fell, 
And  carried  waters  from  the  well, 

To  give  those  boys  in  blue. 
They  prayed  for  you  midst  battle  smoke, 
They  shouted  when  the  war-cloud  broke, 
And  when  the  morn  of  peace  awoke 

They  still  remembered  you. 

Dear  aged  mother  of  our  land, 
Your  record  has  been  long  and  grand, 
Your  blessed  influence  will  stand 

Through  cycles  yet  to  come. 
Your  eighty  years  of  work  well  done 
Demands  a  rest  which  you  have  won  ; 
And  may  your  peaceful  setting  sun 

Light  up  your  journey  home. 


560  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
PROHIBITION  AND  FRANCHISE. 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  Jan.  11,  1897. 
Tonight  comes  the  clarion  note,  that  this  day  the 
arbitration  treaty  has  been  signed  by  the  heads  of  the 
two  most  powerful  nations  upon  this  habital  globe — 
Grover  Cleveland,  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  Queen  Victoria,  of  the  United  Kingdom 
of  Great  Britain,  and  by  their  authorized  agents, 
Secretary  Olney,  and  Sir  Julian  Pauncefote.  This 
treaty  is  of  far  greater  and  far  more  extensive  import 
than  a  five  year's  experiment.  We  believe  other  nations 
are  to  follow.  It  is  the  prelude  to  the  fulfillment  of  that 
triumphant  song  of  the  angelic  host,  "Glory  to  God  in 
the  Highest,  on  earth  peace,  good  will  toward  men"- 
announcing  the  birth  of  Him  who  was  to  bear  the 
names,  Wonderful,  Counselor,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
Everlasting  Father,  and  Prince  of  Peace.  Here  is  the 
song  of  the  Fatherhood  of  God,  and  the  brotherhood  of 
men  of  all  nations  of  the  earth.  Here  is  the  uniting 
brilliant  star  between  these  two  great  nations  and  we 
have  faith  in  believing  other  nations  will  follow.  We 
thank  God  and  take  courage  through  blinding  tears 
that  fall  in  sympathy  with  the  suffering  and  persecuted 
Armenian  Christians,  famine  stricken  India,  and  op- 
pressed Cubans.  We  pray  God  to  send  forth  more 
laborers  in  this  vast  field  so  white  to  the  harvest,  until 
this  Angelic  song  shall  resound  through  every  vale 
throughout  this  earthly  ball. 


PROHIBITION   AND   FRANCHISE.  561 

Yet  our  heart  is  sick  with  every  day's  report  of 
wrong  and  outrage  with  which  the  earth  is  filled  by  the 
mighty  giant,  Alcohol.  An  officer  of  the  Ohio  Liquor 
League,  in  a  recent  Convention  of  Saloon  keepers, 
Brewers  and  Distillers,  said:  "The  hope  of  our  pro- 
fession, is  in  creating  or  fostering  appetite  in  boys. 
Men  who  drink  liquor,  like  others,  will  die;  and  if  there 
is  no  more  appetite  created,  or  fostered,  our  counters 
will  be  empty,  as  will  also  be  our  coffers.  Our  children 
will  go  hungry,  or  we  must  change  our  business  to  that 
of  some  other  more  lucrative.  The  open  field  for  the 
creation  of  this  appetite  is  among  the  boys.  After  men 
have  grown,  and  their  habits  are  formed,  they  rarely 
ever  change  in  this  regard.  It  will  be  needful  therefore 
that  missionary  work  be  done  among  the  boys;  and 
I  make  the  suggestion,  gentlemen,  that  nickels  expended 
in  treats  to  the  boys  now,  will  return  in  dollars  to  our 
tills  after  the  habit  has  been  formed." 

Who  has  a  boy  to  hand  over  to  liquor  dealers? 
What  mother  has  a  son  to  sacrifice  to  greed  and  gain? 

Is  it  not  well  that  more  than  300,000  Christian  women 
of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperence  Union  are  banded 
together,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  heart  to  heart,  to  battle 
against  this  monster  evil?  We  are  loyal  to  our  homes, 
and  to  the  extent  of  our  ability  will  protect  them.  But 
in  our  battles  along  forty  lines  against  this  monster 
liquor  traffic  we  have  found,  to  our  sorrow,  so  much  of 
intrigue,  chicanery,  deception  and  trickery  manifested 
in  favoring  this  father  of  giants  in  all  his  multiform 
phases,  for  the  sake  of  policy  and  expediency,  that  we 
utterly  despair  of  either  ruling  party  ever  heeding  our 
prayers  to  overthrow  this  King  whose  subjects  are  a 
multitude  and  who  is  so  thoroughly  entrenched  hi  our 
national  life.  A  true  politician  is  one  deeply  interested 


562  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

in  the  best  good  of  all  citizens  in  municipality,  state  or 
nation;  hence  true  politics  are  based  on  fundamental 
truths.  Government  should  be  administered  for  the 
protection  of  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness; 
from  our  municipal  environment,  up  to  state  and  nation. 
We  see  the  great  need  of  a  purer  political  party  being 
placed  in  power  that  will  dare  meet  this  King  in  his 
own  strongholds. 

Surely  history  is  repeating  itself.  Read  Isaiah  28: 
1,  13,  15-18  and  see  the  sad  picture  of  our  day.  "Woe 
to  the  crown  of  pride,  to  the  drunkards  of  Ephraim, 
whose  glorious  beauty  is  a  fading  flower,  which  are  on 
the  head  of  the  fat  valleys  of  them  that  are  overcome 
with  wine! 

'  'But  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  unto  them  precept 
upon  precept,  precept  upon  precept;  line  upon  line,  line 
upon  line;  here  a  little,  and  there  a  little;  that  they 
might  go,  and  fall  backward,  and  be  broken,  and  snared, 
and  taken.  Because  ye  have  said,  We  have  made  a 
covenant  with  death,  and  with  hell  are  we  at  agree- 
ment; when  the  overflowing  scourge  shall  pass  through, 
it  shall  not  come  unto  us:  for  we  have  made  lies  our 
refuge,  and  under  falsehood  have  we  hid  ourselves. 
Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  Behold,  a  tried 
stone,  a  precious  corner  stone,  a  sure  foundation:  he 
that  believeth  shall  not  make  haste.  Judgment  also 
will  I  lay  to  the  line,  and  righteousness  to  the  plummet; 
and  the  hail  shall  sweep  away  the  refuge  of  lies,  and  the 
waters  shall  overthrow  the  hiding  place.  And  your 
covenant  with  death  shall  be  disannulled,  and  your 
agreement  with  hell  shall  not  stand;  when  the  overflow- 
ing scourge  shall  pass  through,  then  ye  shall  be  trodden 
down  by  it." 

Dark  is  the  picture  of  the  time  in  which  the  prophet 


PROHIBITION  AND   FRANCHISE.  563 

Isaiah  lived,  but  no  darker  than  the  object  lesson  before 
us  of  our  day.  Hard  times  for  want  of  employment  is 
the  cry  of  hundreds  of  thousands  today.  And  many  are 
the  causes  sought  out.  But  the  main  problem  is  un- 
touched. Investigators  seem  hard  at  work  to  solve  the 
riddle.  Why  should  it  be  so  hard  to  find,  when 
$600,000,000.00  are  spent  annually  for  that  filthy  weed, 
tobacco,  and  $962,129,854.00  annually  for  alcohol? 
Now  if  all  this  money  was  directed  into  legitimate  business 
what  a  revival  there  would  be!  Living  wages  could  be 
paid  to  every  man  and  woman  in  the  United  States,  and 
leave  all  minor  children  in  school.  It  has  by  careful  esti- 
mate been  found  that  the  cost  of  liquors  every  year  equals 
the  cost  of  our  four  years  war !  And  each  year,  as  many 
lives  are  lost  by  drink,  as  our  nation  lost  in  that  terrible 
conflict!  Awfully  solemn  is  this  view  to  contemplate 
when  there  are  more  than  two  million  protestant  male 
church  members  in  these  United  States.  With  such  a 
resistless  balance  of  power,  the  church  cannot  excuse 
herself  from  sweeping  away  this  blackest  stain  upon 
our  national  escutcheon.  Why  will  2,000,000  voting 
protestant  church  members  be  controlled  by  220,000 
men  whose  business  is,  as  John  Wesley  said,  "to  drive 
men  to  hell  like  sheep?"  When  we  take  a  retrospective 
view  of  what  we  did  accomplish  twenty-four  years  ago 
in  our  crusade  work,  in  closing  the  saloons  in  Lenawee 
County  in  this  state  for  one  month,  we  remember 
our  county  jail  was  empty  the  most  of  that  month  and 
the  county  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Mr.  Sayres,  reported 
to  Judge  F  .C.  Beaman  of  Adrian  City:  "The  costs  of 
criminal  arrests  during  the  month  the  saloons  were 
closed  by  reason  of  the  woman's  crusade  were  $36.78 
and  by  a  careful  estimate  for  every  other  month  during 
that  year,  the  costs  of  criminal  arrests  were  $1,150.56 


564  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

per  month  of  open  saloons. "  Now  where  do  we  find 
revenue  to  help  pay  taxes?  Oh,  consistency,  thou  art 
indeed  a  "precious  jewel!"  During  open  saloons,  word 
came  to  us  of  a  deserted  family.  Mrs.  Letitia  Backus, 
and  myself  found  the  mother  with  eight  children,  the 
oldest  a  boy  of  thirteen,  the  youngest  a  few  hours  old. 
All  in  squalid  wretchedness.  One  of  the  supervisors 
was  called  upon,  who  took  a  neighboring  woman  to  a 
grocery  and  a  dry-goods  store  for  supplies  to  relieve 
present  distress. 

This  poor  woman  told  me,  when  she  married  James 
Jones,  he  had  a  farm  of  160  acres.  But  he  had  sold  it 
off  by  littles  to  pay  his  saloon  bills.  '  'A  short  time  ago, '' 
said  she,  '  'he  sold  the  last  parcel  with  the  house,  and 
paid  the  rent  for  one  month,  for  this  old  shell  of  a  house 
and  brought  us  here,  and  went  to  York  State  to  spend 
the  winter  with  his  relatives.  As  he  was  leaving  us,  I 
said,  'Jim,  what  are  we  going  to  do  without  money?' 
'Well,  I  guess  I've  got  to  have  enough  to  take  me  to 
my  folks.'  But  he  did  give  me  $5.00."  We  soon 
gathered  up  a  buggy  load  of  second-hand  bedclothes, 
and  wearing  apparel  for  them.  A  few  days  later  we 
called  again,  and  found  seven  of  these  children  with 
high  fever,  coming  down  with  measles,  placed  on  quilts 
we  had  taken,  on  the  bare  floor.  "O,  how  glad  I 
am  to  see  a  human  face  in  such  a  place  as  this," 
exclaimed  the  woman  hired  by  the  Supervisors  to  care 
for  them.  You  see  at  once  the  difference  in  the  expense 
between  the  criminal  arrests  of  the  open  and  closed 
saloons  during  one  year's  trial.  Another  home  I  visited 
made  equally  bare  of  almost  every  earthly  comfort, 
made  desolate  by  drink.  While  admiring  the  bright- 
faced  baby  of  a  few  days  in  this  world  of  sorrow,  as 
expressed  in  the  sad  face  of  the  mother,  she  rejoined, 


PROHIBITION   AND   FRANCHISE.  565 

"But  it  had  been  better  she  had  not  lived,  rather  than 
find  such  a  home  as  this."  What  a  wreck  of  humanity 
was  that  husband  and  father,  getting  the  dinner  for 
himself  and  eight-year-old  daughter !  Oh,  why  will  good 
men  license  this  soul  and  body-killing  salotfn  business? 
Why  will  they  withhold  that  powerful  instrument  in 
overthrowing  wrong,  the  ballot? 

"Shall  we  behold,  unheeding, 
Life's  holiest  feeling  crushed? 
When  woman's  heart  is  bleeding, 
Shall  woman's  voice  be  hushed?" 

Ts  it  strange  that  we  should  ask  for  the  elective 
franchise?  Is  it  a  wonder  that  we  should  crave  a  voice 
in  sweeping  away  this  home-destroying  upas  tree — root 
and  branch? 

We  have  murders  and  suicides  of  almost  daily  occur- 
rence. A  highly  cultivated  young  man  whoml  had  known 
in  the  innocence  of  childhood,  while  a  student  in 
college  partook  occasionally  with  his  chums  of  the  social 
glass.  The  uncontrollable  appetite  stole  upon  him.  He 
married  a  beautiful  Christian  girl.  When  she  discovered 
his  weakness,  and  pled  with  him  to  refuse  the  wine 
glass,  he  promised,  but  the  promise  was  broken.  To- 
gether on  their  knees  he  made  solemn  pledges  never  again 
to  touch  or  taste  the  tempting  glass.  He  loved  his  wife 
and  promising  little  boy.  Again,  and  again,  he  went 
home  to  his  heart-broken  wife,  after  pledge  after  pledge 
was  broken.  He  could  not  bear  to  go  home  in  that 
condition  again,  and  took  a  loaded  pistol  and  by  the 
roadside  blew  his  brains  out.  Oh,  what  an  awful  shock 
to  that  young  wife!  A  terrible  shock  to  us  all  who 
knew  that  young  man  of  talent. 

Another  had  reformed  for  three  years,  and  during 
this  time  had  professed  religion  and  had  become  a 


566  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

valuable  member  of  the  church.  But,  enticed  by  an 
old  friend,  he  fell  a  prey  to  the  foul  destroyer.  One  of 
his  friends  went  to  the  saloon-keeper  and  begged  him 
not  to  sell  or  give  his  friend  another  drink  of  anything 
alcoholic.  But  he  pointed  to  his  license,  saying,  "I 
am  doing  just  as  legal  a  business  as  you  are  behind 
your  counter  measuring  off  calico."  Still  persist- 
ing in  his  appeal,  he  repeated  "Woe  unto  him  that 
giveth  his  neighbor  drink,  that  putteth  thy  bottle  to 
him,  and  maketh  him  drunken  also,"  and  added,  "so  you 
see,  you  are  on  the  road  to  hell."  "Well,  if  I  am  going 
to  that  place,  you,  who  voted  for  that  license  will  not 
be  far  behind  me,"  replied  the  saloon-keeper.  Is  not 
this  sound  whiskey  dealer's  logic?  And  is  he  not  correct 
in  his  conclusions?  Is  not  this  plain  common  sense 
reasoning?  Is  it  not  the  duty  of  every  Christian  to 
bring  his  or  her  religion  into  every  line  of  life-work, 
and  act  as  conscientiously  in  politics  as  in  church  work? 
Sanctified  common  sense  is  loudly  called  for  on  the 
highway  of  holiness.  In  whatever  condition  or  station 
in  life  we  find  ourselves,  are  we  not  our  brother's  keeper 
in  a  more  extensive  view  than  we  are  prone  to  conceive? 
We  reiterate  and  emphasize  our  loyalty  to  our  homes 
and  country.  We  do  believe  that  our  government  is 
based  on  a  firm  foundation.  '  'We  hold  these  truths  to 
be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are  created  equal;  that  they 
are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable 
rights;  that  among  them  are  life,  liberty  and  the  pur- 
suit of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  govern- 
ments are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their  just 
powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed.  That  when- 
ever any  form  of  government  becomes  destructive  of 
these  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter,  or 
abolish  it."  We  would  not  for  a  trifling  wrong  ask  for 


PROHIBITION   AND   FRANCHISE.  567 

a  change.  But  we  do  feel  impelled  to  petition  our  legis- 
lative bodies  to  so  amend  our  constitutions  as  to  grant 
the  elective  franchise  to  intelligent  women  to  enable 
us  to  voice  our  sentiments  in  shaping  our  laws.  Are  we 
not  about  half  of  the  people?  Is  it  a  surprise  that  we 
should  ask  for  a  voice  in  the  laws  by  which  we  are 
governed,  instead  of  being  placed  on  the  list  with  the  in- 
sane, idiots  and  babies?  We  have  touched  upon  the 
danger  our  boys  are  in,  through  the  liquor  traffic.  Now 
we  present  the  danger  our  girls  are  in.  The  age  of  con- 
sent upon  the  statute  books  of  many  of  our  states  was 
from  five  years  of  age  to  fourteen*  until  our  W.  C.  T.  U. 
women  worked  hard  to  have  it  raised  even  to  sixteen,  (the 
marriagable  age.)  Some  states  have  listened  to  our 
pleas  and  raised  it  to  eighteen  years.  There  was  an  in- 
cident that  occurred  while  my  home  was  in  Chicago,  that 
arroused  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  women  to  investigate  the  law 
on  that  subject,  and  they  found  the  "age  of  consent"  in 
that  state  was  eight  years.  One  little  girl  of  our 
neighbor's  was  sent  on  an  errand.  A  nice  looking  man 
told  her  to  step  into  a  candy  store  and  he  would  give  her 
all  the  candy  she  could  hold  in  her  hands.  She  got 
the  candy.  Then  if  she  would  go  with  him  to  another 
store  he  said  he  would  buy  her  a  nice  doll,  and  he  got 
the  doll.  Then  he  took  her  to  the  tunnel  and  abused 
her  and  took  her  where  she  could  find  her  home.  The 
next  day,  the  mother  with  the  daughter  and  policeman, 
followed  and  found  the  criminal,  who  was  arrested.  All 
he  said  in  extenuation  of  his  crime  was,  he  thought  she 
was  eight  years  old  instead  of  seven.  If  woman  wouid 
vote  for  such  a  law  as  that,  she  might  well  be  classed 
with  insane  and  idiots.  We  do  not  ask  for  the  ballot 
from  any  other  standpoint  than  the  same  standard  of 
age  and  intelligence  as  our  brothers.  Foreigners  who 


568  A    WOMAN'S   LIFE- WORK. 

are  not  sufficiently  Americanized  to  understand  the 
basis  of  our  government,  are  using  that  powerful  in- 
strument, t*he  ballot,  not  even  being  required  to  read  in 
English  the  declaration  of  sentiment  upon  which  our 
government  is  based,  or  even  speak  our  language  in- 
telligently. We  rejoice  at  every  move  to  sweep  away 
the  liquor  traffic.  But  from  the  standpoint  alluded  to, 
we  continue  to  pray  for  the  ballot.  A  very  faint 
sketch  is  here  given  of  what  I  have  seen  that  has  caused 
the  bitter  wail,  How  long,  O  Lord,  how  long  will  this 
home  destroyer  sweep  over  our  beloved  country?  We 
do  rejoice  in  the  advarfce  movements  of  a  number  of  our 
states,  Kansas  taking  the  lead.  And  others  followed 
and  have  gone  far  ahead  of  her.  Colorado  allows 
woman  the  full  ballot.  Last  year  they  voted  for  Pres- 
ident. Good  news  reaches  us  from  South  Dakota  and 
Washington.  Both  their  Legislatures  have  passed  bills 
for  equal  suffrage  amendment  submitted  by  a  large 
majority.  This  is  not  a  new  idea  with  me.  When  left 
a  widow  fifty -seven  years  ago,  with  seven  minor  chil- 
dren, whenever  I  was  called  upon  for  taxes,  my  universal 
reply  was,  "Here  are  my  taxes,  but  according  to  the 
declared  sentiments  of  our  forefathers,  'Taxation  with- 
out representation,  was  tyranny,'  and  I  fail  to  see 
the  difference  between  then  and  now."  Yet  I  do  praise 
the  Lord  at  the  rapid  advance  of  reformative  measures 
on  every  hand.  The  followers  of  the  meek  and  lowly 
Nazarine  are  learning  more  and  more  of  the  liberty 
wherewith  Christ  makes  free — that  faith  in  the  sanc- 
tifying power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  makes  free  indeed. 
It  is  then  "Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  So  we  will  toil  on*  in 
hope,  in  faith  that  victory  will  yet  be  ours,  "for  God 
and  home  and  every  land.'' 

For  it  is  for  the  wTatchman  to  cry  aloud  and  spare 
not  in  showing  the  people  their  sins,  and  the  house  of 
Jacob  their  transgressions,  until  her  light  is  accepted, 
and  shines  forth  as  the  noonday. 


REVIEW   THOUGHTS.  569 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

REVIEW      THOUGHTS. 

Year  after  year,  decade  after  decade  have  rolled 
away,  with  their  records  on  eternity's  scroll,  until 
eighty-nine  winters  leave  the  autumnal  leaf  with  its 
stem  of  grapes  of  whatever  sort  it  is,  waiting  for  the 
gentle  zephyr  to  drop  it  to  its  mother  earth  transplant- 
ing the  soul  to  the  mansions  prepared  for  the  faithful 
to  the  end,  "For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of 
this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of 
God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands  eternal  in  the 
heavens." 

And  no  specialty  of  all  my  life-work  passes  more 
vividly  before  me  in  review  than  the  deep  impression 
that  came  to  me  to  try  an  untried  experiment — that  of 
gathering  into  my  school  buildings  and  premises  the 
neglected  orphans  and  homeless  indigent  children  of 
our  State  (Michigan)  and  teaching  them  habits  of  indus- 
try and  the  rudiments  of  an  English  education,  to  fit 
them  to  become  good  citizens  instead  of  convicts  within 
prison  walls,  or  tramps.  I  had  visited  many  thousands 
of  the  former  class  of  unfortunates,  and  had  seen  many 
of  the  latter.  This  strong  impression  led  me  to  make 
special  inquiry  of  the  wardens  of  each  of  five  State  pen- 
itentiaries I  visited  during  1865-6,  having  from  700  to 
1,000  convicts  in  each,  and  I  was  surprised  to  find  so 
large  a  proportion  of  these  thousands  left  orphans  in 
childhood,  who  might  have  been  saved  from  these  worse 
than  wasted  lives  and  desolate  homes.  If  some  loving 


570  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

hand  had  reached  the  innocent  children  before  becom- 
ing tainted  with  crime,  what  an  uplift  of  humanity 
there  might  have  been !  This  thought  gave  momentum 
to  my  resolution.  No  discouraging  words  from  home 
or  abroad  could  deter  me  from  my  purpose  of  testing 
this  experiment.  No  stone  was  left  unturned,  how- 
ever formidable  in  appearance,  but  was  rolled  away. 
Again,  I  was  reminded  of  the  song  the  old  Abolition 
Singer,  Rev.  George  W.  Clark,  sang  for  me  more  than 
twenty  years  before,  while  bearing  the  heavy  burdens 
of  "Raisin  Institute"  alone  and  passing  through  trials 
that  seemed  neither  few  nor  far  between.  Yet  I  was 
trusting,  and  trusting  still.  But  the  song  that  was  an 
uplift  to  my  burdened  heart  then  was  no  less  encourag- 
ing now  in  the  trial  of  this  experience  that  had  become 
an  abiding  conviction. 

"Should  you  see  afar  off  that  worth  winning. 
Set  out  on  the  journey  with  trust, 
And  ne'er  heed  if  your  path  at  beginning 
Should  be  among  brambles  and  dust; 
Though  it  is  but  by  footsteps  ye  do  it, 
And  hardships  may  hinder  and  stay, 
Keep  a  heart  and  be  sure  you'll  get  through  it; 
For  where  there's  a  will  there's  a  way\" 
And  I  had  the  ivill  and  found  the  way.     I  called  on  a  few 
benevolent  self-sacrificing  sisters  and  laid  before  them 
my  plans.     A  public  meeting  was  appointed,  our  officers 
chosen  and  we  went  to  work  with  zeal  according  to  the 
knowledge  that  came  to  us  daily  of  the  necessity  of  our 
work. 

We  did  not  stop  to  select  the  best  children,  but  took 
them  from  off  the  streets  of  towns,  and  from  unwise 
and  sometimes  vicious  parents,  serving  their  time  in 
penal  reformatories. 


REVIEW   THOUGHTS.  571 

One  mother  brought  her  three  boys  whose  respect- 
ive ages  were  seven,  nine  and  thirteen.  "These  two 
small  boys  will  do  as  you  want  them,  but  here's  John, 
you'll  have  to  whip  him  twice  a  day  to  make  him 
decent,"  she  said  to  me.  "O  no,  I  don't  think  John 
looks  as  if  he  wanted  to  be  a  bad  boy,"  I  answered. 
"Well,  he  is,  and  you'll  have  to  be  severe  with  him  to 
make  him  decent  to  live  with."  The  poor  boy  had  been 
in  the  Reform  School  in  Ohio  but  as  they  were  to  leave 
the  State,  and  begged  the  authorities  for  their  boy,  he 
was  given  to  his  parents.  Within  a  few  months  the 
father  died,  and  left  the  mother  with  small  means  and 
a  large  family  and  this  boy  was  called  the  worst  boy  on 
the  streets  of  Adrian.  It  was  said,  "If  they  can  make 
anything  out  of  that  boy  I  don't  know  what  they  could 
not  do."  But  patient  "line  upon  line"  did  make  a 
marvelous  change  in  that  dear  boy.  After  a  few  months 
we  secured  a  good  home  for  him  on  a  farm.  The  farmer 
sent  him  to  school  as  required  and  reported  him  as 
faithful  as  any  hired  man  he  had  employed. 

At  one  of  the  County  Houses  I  took,  with  others,  a 
girl  of  eleven  years.  The  superintendent  said  he  had 
secured  a  number  of  homes  for  her,  but  they  returned 
her  within  a  week,  or  two  weeks  was  as  long  as  any 
family  had  kept  her;  "she  was  too  hard  a  case  for  any 
decent  family  to  endure,"  was  the  report  that  had  been 
returned  with  her.  Her  father  died  a  soldier  in  the 
army,  and  her  mother  was  one  of  the  worst  of  charac- 
ters and  was  now  serving  her  sentence  in  the  Detroit 
Work-house.  "As  she  is  eleven,  whatever  is  done  for 
her  must  be  done  quickly.  I  want  to  see  her  alone;  if 
I  take  her  I  don't  want  she  should  know  that  I  know 
anything  of  her  record,  or  that  of  her  mother,  for  I  want 
to  bring  every  possible  influence  to  bear  in  her  favor," 


572  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

was  my  answer.  After  the  private  interview  I  told  the 
superintendent  I  would  take  her,  for  there  was  intellect 
sufficient  to  build  a  good  character  upon  if  it  could  be 
thrown  in  the  right  channel.  I  would  take  her,  with  the 
other,  and  should  not  return  her  without  a  thorough  trial. 
On  our  way  home  I  placed  the  two  little  girls  in  the 
seat  before  me  (to  ivatch)  and  found  Anna  an  expert  at 
swearing,  and  the  five  year  old  girl  seemed  afraid  of 
her.  After  changing  cars,  I  took  them  in  my  seat  and 
told  Anna  I  perceived  she  had  a  very  bad  habit  of 
swearing  and  that  I  could  not  allow  for  a  moment;  and 
this  habit  she  must  break  off  or  she  was  a  ruined  girl, 
for  this  world  and  the  next;  and  that  she  must  ask  the 
Lord  to  help  her  or  she  would  fail.  "I  will  ask  God  to 
help  me.  I  do  want  to  learn  to  be  a  good  girl,"  she 
replied,  and  for  three  days  she  was  above  reproof,  then 
failed.  Again  she  promised  and  again  failed,  until  six 
weeks  passed,  then  our  patient  matron  told  her,  '  'Mrs. 
Haviland  must  take  you  back  to  the  County  House  as 
she  has  told  you  unless  you  are  better.  I.  cannot  have 
yon  here  with  such  an  influence  over  the  other  chil- 
dren." She  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  exclaiming, 
"Mrs.  Smith,  I  do  want  to  be  a  good  girl.  I  don't  want 
to  grow  up  to  be  a  bad  woman  like  my  mother;  she 
used  to  whip  me  and  make  me  steal;  then  she  would 
whip  me  and  make  me  lie  about  it.  She  is  so  bad  the 
officers  took  her  to  the  Detroit  Work-house.  She  is 
there  now.  I  don't  want  to  make  a  bad  woman  like  my 
mother;"  and  she  burst  into  a  loud  cry,  as  though  her 
heart  were  broken.  "Anna,  wouldn't  you  like  to  see 
your  mother?"  "No,  she  is  so  bad  I  never  want  to  see 
her."  "Anna,  I  have  more  hope  of  you  now,  for  you 
realize  your  condition  as  you  never  have  before."  And 
our  matron's  hope  thus  inspired  was  not  without  found- 


REVIEW    THOUGHTS.  573 

ation  for  from  that  day  and  hour  she  was  a  different 
girl— a  saved  girl!  After  a  time  a  farmer  and  his  wife 
living  a  few  miles  distant  came  for  a  girl  and  took  her 
to  a  good  home  and  gave  good  reports  of  her.  She  was 
contented  and  happy. 

Notwithstanding  reference  has  been  made  to  this 
important  portion  of  my  life-work  in  a  previous  chapter, 
I  have  been  requested  by  many  friends,  as  a  matter  of 
history,  to  republish  in  this  more  permanent  form  the 
article  "How  a  Rill  Became  a  River",  (which  I  wrote 
after  spending  five  months  as  seamstress  in  the  school 
at  Coldwater)  with  other  clippings  from  the  press  and 
letters  from  friends  who  were  very  familiar  with  the 
work  from  the  beginning.  Something  of  the  work 
which  has  been  accomplished  through  the  State  School 
may  be  understood  from  the  fact  that  A.  J.  Murray,  the 
present  Superintendent,  writes  that  up  to  January  1, 
1897,  four  thousand  one  hundred  and  seven  children  have 
been  cared  for  since  the  institution  was  established  in 
Coldwater.  If  only  a  reasonable  proportion  of  these  have 
been  placed  in  comfortable  homes,  given  a  fair  primary 
education  and  saved  for  lives  of  usefulness  instead  of 
poverty  and  crime,  what  a  blessing  has  been  rendered 
to  them  and  to  society!  And  how  much  better  for  the 
state  to  expend,  if  necessary,  the  same  amount  of  means 
in  properly  caring  for  its  dependent  children  while  in- 
nocent instead  of  being  compelled  to  use  it  to  protect 
itself  from  these  same  children  developed  into  crim- 
inals, a  few  years  later.  '  'An  ounce  of  preventive  is 
better  than  a  pound  of  cure"  is  as  true  in  our  day,  as  in 
days  of  yore. 

My  earnest  desire  and  prayer  is  that  this  work  of 
caring  for  innocent,  neglected  children  during  their 


574  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

most  impressible  years  may  extend  to  every  state  and 
every  land. 

That  the  necessity  for  something  of  this  kind  has 
been  felt  by  other  hearts  and  in  other  places  is  evidenced 
by  the  interest  manifested  in  its  conception  and  design 
by  philanthropists  and  statesmen  in  this  and  other  lands. 
The  Prince  of  Wales  was  so  impressed  by  the  in- 
formation he  had  received  concerning  it  that  he  wrote 
to  inquire  if  it  were  true  that  the  idea  of  this  noble  phil- 
anthropy originated  with  a  woman.  Those  of  whom 
he  inquired  might  have  answered — "Yes;  with  a  little 
Quaker  woman  who  in  turn  found  her  inspiration  in 
the  words  of  the  Master  who  commanded:  'Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  me  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven'  and  whose  promise  was 
that  'Whoso  shall  receive  one  such  little  child  in  my 
name  receiveth  me.'  " 


HOW   A   RILL  BECAME   A   RIVER.  575 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

HOW   A   RILL  BECAME   A   RIVER. 
The  following  article  was  published  in  the  Detroit  Tribune  Feb.  9. 1875. 

Laura  S.  Haviland  is  so  well  known  to  the  people 
of  this  state  that  we  shall  make  no  attempt  to  introduce 
her  to  our  readers.  She  has  sent  to  us  a  narrative  of 
her  labors  in  behalf  of  that  benevolent  cause,  which 
has  at  last  borne  fruit  in  the  establishment  of  the  State 
Public  School  at  Coldwater.  We  need  not  call  attention 
to  the  simplicity  and  fervor  of  spirit  which  characterize 
this  noble  woman's  story  of  what  is  but  a  mere  chapter 
in  a  life  of  self-sacrificing  philanthropy.  Her  state- 
ment is  as  follows: 

Just  before  the  close  of  the  "irrepressible  conflict," 
that  baptized  our  nation  in  blood,  I  sold  "Raisin  Insti- 
tute" including  ten  acres  with  an  Orchard,  to  the  "State 
Freedman's  Aid  Commission"  for  $2,000,  and  gave  $500 
of  it,  as  a  proviso,  to  be  used  for  homeless  and  indigent 
children,  and  for  no  other  purpose.  The  object  of  the 
Freedman's  Aid  Commission  was  to  relieve  the  great 
suffering  then  existing  in  those  southern  freedmen's 
camps,  where  3,000  and  frequently  4,000,  mostly  women 
and  children,  were  congregated,  occupying  condemned 
tents  cast  aside  as  unfit  for  our  soldier's  use,  where 
were  found  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty 
orphans,  taking  their  rations  from  tent  to  tent;  and 
where  after  chilling  rains,  not  unfrequently,  from  five 
to  ten  deaths  occurred  in  a  day. 

During  three  years,  more  than  two  hundred  children 


576  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  this  class,  were  cared  for  in  this  "Home"  until  good 
homes  were  found  for  them  in  families, — except  twenty 
five  children  (mostly  under  ten  years  of  age)  who  were 
given  over  to  our  care,  with  the  use  of  the  asylum  farm 
of  twelve  acres,  with  the  orchard  and  buildings,  etc. , 
free  of  rent  for  nearly  three  years,  and  also  with  $100 
in  money  and  some  other  asylum  property.  With  this 
we  commenced  our  state  work,  confidently  hoping  and 
trusting  that  our  legislature  would,  at  the  expiration 
of  that  period,  shoulder  this  vast  work,  as  it  rolled  upon 
us  like  a  mountain  weight. 

In  1*66  I  visited  the  state  penitentiary  at  Rich- 
mond, Va. ,  and  was  there  told  that  a  large  proportion 
of  their  convicts  were  left  orphans  in  childhood.  The 
same  reply  I  received  from  the  warden  of  the  Maryland 
penitentiary  at  Baltimore,  and  the  same  answer  was 
given  by  the  warden  of  the  Pennsylvania  penitentiary 
in  Alleghany  City.  In  1867  I  met  similar  replies  to 
these  inquiries  in  our  own  State  Prison  and  House  of 
Correction  in  Detroit.  Prompted  by  the  underlying 
idea  of  a  State  manual  labor  school,  for  the  benefit  of 
soldier's  homeless  and  indigent  orphans,  and  of  all  other 
children  who  are  dependent  upon  public  charity,  and 
holding  that  no  substantial  improvement  or  reform  can 
ultimately  succeed  without  a  system  of  labor,  it  had 
been  our  most  earnest  desire  to  see  a  school  of  this 
class  based  on  industry  as  one  of  its  most  important 
pillars,  upon  which  its  growing  life,  with  increased 
vitality  must  depend.  With  this  object  in  view,  I 
designed  to  visit  every  county  house  in  the  state,  and 
learn  the  number  of  children  in  them  under  twelve 
years  of  age  (not  idiotic)  and  learn  their  condition,  and 
report  to  the  second  legislature  after  reorganizing 
for  our  state  work,  accompanying  the  report  with  a 


HOW    A    RILL   BECAME   A   RIVER.  577 

for  the  little  homeless  waifs  of  our  state. 

In  August,  1868,  while  in  Washington,  D.  C.  with 
this  sole  object  in  view,  I  resigned  a  responsible  position 
I  had  occupied  during  four  years  of  mission  work  in 
various  portions  of  the  South — two  years  during  the 
war,  and  two  years  after  its  close.  During  the  first 
two  years  and  six  months  I  had  given  my  time  free  of 
charge  and  without  salary. 

Six  months  of  that  time  I  received  forty  dollars  per 
month  from  the  Michigan  Freedman's  Aid  Association. 
As  this  was  closing  its  work,  I  received  fifteen  dollars 
per  month  from  the  American  Missionary  Association 
as  the  North  Western  Division,  at  Chicago  had  taken 
the  Haviland  Home  for  Homeless  Children  in  charge. 
I  again  resumed  mission  work  in  the  south  with  six 
hundred  dollars  placed  in  my  hands  by  the  committee 
of  the  Ladies'  State  Fair  held  in  Detroit  early  in  1865. 
It  was  all  they  had  left  of  $3,000  raised  at  that  fair. 
This  was  expended  for  the  relief  of  the  sick,  lame  and 
blind  of  all  classes  and  colors,  found  in  the  most  squalid 
wretchedness,  by  direction  of  the  two  generals,  O.  O.  and 
C.  H.  Howard,  who  said  I  should  have  a  better  position 
the  coming  Autum  n.  But  what  was  the  value  of  increase 
of  salary,  when  we  had  a  greater  number  of  orphans 
than  before  the  war  and,  at  that  time,  but  one  orphan 
asylum  in  the  state,  and  that  a  local  one,  in  the  city  of 
Detroit,  where  no  child  beyond  the  city  limits  could  be 
admitted.  With  the  fixed  purpose,  and  the  long  cher- 
ished aim  of  seeing  the  state  assume  this  important 
responsibility,  we  pursued  our  course  unwaveringly, 
unmoved  by  doubts  and  fears  expressed  by  many 
friends,  who  approved  of  our  course.  "But  where 
are  your  funds?"  '  'To  whom  are  you  going  for  supplies 
petition  for  establishing  a  school  of  the  above  character 


578  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

gladly  relieve?"  To  these  oft  repeated  queries  I  had 
but  one  reply:  "The  Lord  is  the  Father  of  the  father- 
less; and  there  is  an  abundance  throughout  our  rich 
farming  community  only  waiting  for  a  call  to  supply 
the  wants  of  these  little  friendless  ones."  Pushing 
forward  our  work,  I  secured  the  services,  as  matron,  of 
a  noble,  self-sacrificing  woman,  in  the  person  of  Jane 
A.  Smith,  of  Romulus,  Mich. 

A  teacher  was  employed,  school  was  opened  four 
hours  of  each  day  and  the  balance  of  the  inmates'  time 
was  devoted  to  work  and  play.  The  constitution  and 
by-laws  of  the  "Michigan  Orphan  Asylum  Association" 
were  forwarded  to  Lansing,  for  the  purpose  of  having 
the  institution  incorporated  with  the  above  new  name 
instead  of  that  of  "Haviland  Home  for  Homeless  Freed 
Children,"  (so  named  by  the  "State  Freedmen's  Aid 
Commission,"  during  my  absence  in  the  South.)  My 
object  in  urging  the  change  was  to  more  thoroughly 
divorce  it  from  the  idea  of  locality  as  we  were  not 
laboring  for  Lenawee  County  alone,  but  for  each  and 
every  county  in  the  state  as  well.  It  may  not  be  am  iss 
to  extract  from  the  nine  articles,  two  which  will  clearly 
present  the  object  of  our  organization. 

Art.  2.  The  corporation  hereby  formed  shall  be 
known  in  the  law  by  the  name  of  the  "Michigan  Orphan 
Asylum."  The  office  for  the  transaction  of  the  business 
of  said  corporation  is  located  in  the  city  of  Adrian,  in 
the  county  of  Lenawee,  and  State  of  Michigan. 

"Said  corporation  is  incorporated  for  the  period  of 
thirty  years.  (My  request  was  for  five  years  but 
doubting  ones  urged  thirty.) 

"Art.  3.  The  objects  for  which  said  corporation  is 
organized  are  to  provide  a  home  for  destitute  children 
and  to  provide  for  them  a  suitable  moral,  religious  and 


HOW   A   RILL   BECAME   A   RIVER.  579 

physical  training;  and  to  give  them  instruction  in  the 
rudiments  of  an  English  education,  and  in  manual  labor. 
We  only  add  the  names  composing  this  body  corpo- 
rate, who  before  proper  authorities,  in  witness  whereof, 
set  our  hands  and  seals  the  seventh  day  of  January,  A. 
D.  1869- 

Laura  S.  Havilaud.        Mrs.  I.  W.  McKeever. 

Mrs.  John  M.  Rice.         John  Lewis. 

Mrs.  E.  L,  Clark.  Vesta  Shaw. 

Mrs.  R.  R.  Beecher.        Mrs.  Henry  A.  Angel. 

Elizabeth  R.  Stebbins.   Elisha  C.  Smith. 

Mrs.  W.  L.  Beecher. 

Thus  armed  and  equipped  with  zeal  according  to 
the  knowledge  of  this  great  necessity  of  looking  after 
the  pressing  wants  of  our  future  men  and  women, 
soon  to  fill  our  vacated  places  in  acting  their  part  in 
life's  great  drama,  coming  to  us  with  uplifted  little 
hands,  and  with  the  beseeching  query,  "Shall  our  lives 
prove  a  blessing  to  us  and  the  world,  or  shall  they  be- 
come worse  than  blanks,  filled  with  darkness,  ignorance 
and  blackened  with  crime",  we  fully  determined  to 
make  this  cause  another  specialty  in  our  life  work. 

As  we  included  all  homeless  and  dependent  children 
upon  public  charities  in  orphanage,  we  claimed  it  a 
duty  to  extend  equal  care  over  all  that  class  of  helpless 
little  people.  We  had  many  difficulties  to  encounter. 
Our  new  farm  wagon  and  $300  team  were  sold  by  order 
of  the  unfaithful  secretary  of  the  western  division  of 
the  American  Missionary  Association,  in  his  effort  to 
close  the  "Home"  previous  to  its  being  placed  in  our 
hands.  But  with  a  buggy  and  with  sympathizing 
friends  to  aid  us  in  the  purchase  of  a  horse,  we  prepared 
to  cheerfully  creep  over  and  through  many  surrounding 
obstacles,  while  faith  was  pointing  to  our  enterprising 


A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

state  to  relieve  us  in  due  time,  by  placing  this  school 
on  a  broader,  firmer  basis.  But  soon  was  our  faith 
sorely  tried — it  even  seemed  to  dwindle  to  the  smallest 
seed,  suspended  by  a  single  hair — by  a  dangerous  fall 
down  the  asylum  cellar,  which  came  near  causing  in- 
stant death,  and  from  which  I  was  taken  up  insensible. 
Both  outer  and  inner  layer  of  the  left  temporal  bone 
were  fractured,  nearly  or  quite  severing  the  temporal 
artery.  After  three  days  of  concussion  of  the  brain, 
consciousness  was  gradually  restored.  "O,  what  a 
relief!"  were  the  first  words  of  an  anxious  daughter  on 
discovering  returning  consciousness.  "Mother,  have 
no  care  for  this  orphan  asylum;  the  friends  have  sent 
in  an  abundance  of  everything  needed."  "Surely  the 
Lord  is  the  father  of  these  little  homeless  ones,"  was 
my  mental  soliloquy.  But  O,  what  a  drawback  was 
this  upon  our  work  and  faith ! 

As  general  agent  of  our  newly  organized  Orphan 
Asylum  Association,  I  was  expected  to  see  its  wants 
supplied.  But  within  two  weeks  nearly  $100  was  sent 
from  Chicago  friends,  by  sister  Elizabeth  Comstock, 
and  in  four  weeks  I  was  able  to  be  removed  to  my  home 
in  Adrian,  six  miles  distant,  and  within  a  week  after 
this  removal  I  received  a  check  for  fifty  dollars  from 
friends  of  S37racuse,  N.  Y.  A  check  for  the  same 
amount  came  from  a  friend  in  Washington,  D.  C.  and 
another  check  for  fifty  dollars  from  friends  in  Cincin- 
nati. 

This  timely  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  with 
previous  favors  for  our  asylum  school,  revived  the 
drooping  spirits  of  our  faithful  little  band.  In  four 
months  I  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  engage 
in  moderate  work,  and  in  one  year  I  solicited  and 
received  for  our  asylum  school  $700  in  money,  and  $3uO 


HOW   A   RILL   BECAME   A   RIVER.  581 

in  provision  and  new  material  for  clothing,  and  visited 
nine  county  houses,  in  which  were  one  hundred  and 
seven  children  under  twelve  years  of  age  (not  idiotic) 
most  of  them  in  a  deplorable  condition. 

In  one  county  house,  a  half  idiotic  and  insane  man 
was  often  seen  with  the  children  in  a  nude  condition, 
and  using  the  most  obscene  language. 

In  three  of  the  nine  county  houses  were  girls  who 
were  incapable  of  caring  for  themselves  but  who  had 
become  mothers  of  from  one  to  three  children,  during  a 
few  years  home  in  the  county  house.  On  leaving  one 
county  house,  I  remarked  to  the  matron,  that  among 
her  many  unpleasant  tasks,  she  had  an  abundance  to  do 
with  vermin. 

"Law  me,  I  guess  we  do;  you  can  scrape  up  quarts 
of  'em,"  was  her  reply.  In  all  these  appalling  facts, 
which  were  data  from  which  we  drew  the  startling 
conclusion  that  our  county  houses,  with  no  more  means 
at  the  command  of  their  keepers  to  grade  or  classify 
their  inmates,  can  be  no  other  than  mere  nurseries  for 
vagrancy,  crime,  and  ultimately  the  prison — we  found 
an  underlying  lever,  which  urged  us  on  in  our  faithful 
toiling. 

In  the  early  part  of  1870,  I  interviewed  Gov.  H.  P. 
Baldwin  on  the  subject  of  our  work,  and  presented  our 
plan  of  visiting  county  houses,  informing  him  that  a 
number  of  counties  were  already  represented  in  our 
school,  and  that  we  were  teaching  our  children  to  be 
industrious,  and  gave  him  a  report  of  our  work  on  the 
farm  for  1869,  as  follows: 

"With  hiring  a  young  man  four  months  during 
putting  crops  in  the  ground  and  with  the  help  of  about 
twenty  boys,  (most  of  them  under  twelve  years  of  age) 


582  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

• 
we  raised  on  twelve  acres  the  following: 

Tons  of  hay  .....  4 
Bushels  of  potatoes  .  .  .  225 
Bushels  of  turnips  .  .  .  .  <  100 
Bushels  of  corn  .  .  .  .  150 
Bushels  of  apples  .  .  .  200 

Bushels  of  beans         6 

Sorghum  molasses — gallons  .  .  84 
Besides  a  quantity  of  squashes,  beets,  cabbage 
and  onions,  all  gathered  in  good  season,  without  the 
loss  of  a  bushel;  and  by  the  children  under  the  super- 
vision of  our  faithful  matron  and  teacher,  with  three 
weeks  of  my  own  personal  attention  during  crop  gather- 
ing." 

I  also  informed  him  of  our  intention  to  petition  the 
next  legislature  to  establish  an  asylum,  or  school  for 
children  in  our  state,  who  were  dependent  upon  public 
charity,  and  located  wherever  in  its  wisdom  it  might 
deem  proper,  as  I  should  not  contend  for  location,  but 
for  the  cause. 

The  Governor  approved  of  our  work,  and  remarked 
that  it  was  what  the  state  ought  to  do,  and  referred  me 
to  Judge  C.  I.  Walker  of  Detroit,  Dr.  S.  C.  Cutter  of 
Coldwater,  and  F.  H.  Rankin  of  Flint,  as  probably 
important  aids  in  our  work — they  having  been  by  him- 
self appointed  commissioners  to  examine  the  penal, 
reformatory  and  charitable  institutions  of  the  state  of 
Michigan.  But  as  yet  they  had  not  commenced  their 
investigation. 

I  told  him  I  had  free  access  to  all  departments  of 
county  houses  visited,  except  that  in  Wayne  county 
house  I  was  not  permitted  to  see  the  insane  department. 
He  offered  to  give  me  a  paper  allowing  me  the  privilege 
of  visiting  any  department  I  might  desire.  This  done, 


HOW   A   RILL   BECAME   A   RIVER.  583 

I  had  fresh  courage  to  pursue  my  pet  theme. 

On  the  same  day  I  called  on  Judge  Walker,  in 
formed  him  of  our  work  and  purpose  to  petition,  and 
also  informed  him,  as  I  had  the  Governor,  of  the  work 
of  the  children  on  our  little  asylum  farm.  I  further 
designed  to  seek  an  interview  with  the  other  commis- 
sioners; but  amid  these  plans  was  overtaken  with  a 
spasm  caused  by  the  effort  of  nature  in  restoring  circu- 
lation in  the  severed  temporal  artery.  My  physician 
gave  his  opinion  that  six  months  at  least  of  entire  rest 
from  all  mental  labor  was  an  absolute  necessity.  Rev. 
G.  A.  Olmstead  and  others  took  the  work,  until  failing 
health  compelled  them  to  leave  the  field;  and  six  months 
rest  so  far  restored  my  health  that  a  number  of  physi- 
cians gave  their  judgment  that  with  safety  I  might  per- 
form one -fourth  my  former  work. 

But  as  nothing  had  been  done  for  the  school  during 
two  months,  supplies  must  be  replenished — a  few  more 
county  houses  visited,  and  our  prospective  petition 
circulated:  all  to  be  done  within  two  months  to  be  in 
season  for  our  incoming  legislature.  But  just  as  we 
were  commencing  our  work,  on  October  30th,  1870,  a 
severe  attack  of  convulsions  came  near  closing  my  life- 
work.  As  pulsation  in  the  temporal  artery,  injured  by 
the  fall,  was  resumed,  the  pressure  upon  the  brain 
caused*  inflamation,  and  all  hope  of  recovery  seemed 
lost  The  president  of  our  association  was  diligent  in 
corresponding  with  friends  of  the  cause  in  Grand  Rapids 
and  else  where,  hoping  to  find  those  who  might  co-operate 
with  us,  in  petitioning  our  legislature  to  establish  a 
school  for  dependent  children  at  Grand  Rapids,  or  at 
any  other  point  wherever  they  might  deem  expedient. 

On  visiting  the  asylum  school  she  found  it  destitute 
of  provisions,  except  corn-meal  and  turnips.  She  went 


584  A   WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK. 

immediately  to  the  nearest  mill  and  assumed  the  re- 
sponsibility of  supplying  them  with  flour  to  the  amount 
of  $26,  besides  groceries.  She  informed  the  minis- 
ters of  our  city  of  these  facts,  and  on  Thanksgiving 
Day,  at  a  union  meeting,  a  collection  was  taken  for  the 
home,  of  $66,  which  liquidated  the  mill  and  grocery 
debt,  and  gave  it  life  a  little  longer,  in  this  thick 
darkness. 

The  chilling  blasts  of  December,  1870,  came  upon 
us  with  no  more  provisions  than  would  last  the  twenty 
little  homeless  inmates  two  weeks. 

The  poor  health  of  our  most  earnest  workers 
seemed  to  indicate  a  necessity  for  closing  the  home  as 
soon  as  possible.  The  teacher  was  discharged  for  want 
of  funds,  but  nobly  resolved  to  stand  by  the  children, 
with  their  matron,  free  of  charge,  if  the  board  of  man- 
agers could  see  any  way  to  provide  them  with  food 
during  the  winter  months.  New  goods  sent  us  for 
children's  clothing  were  sold  or  exchanged  for  provision 
for  the  children,  who,  of  their  own  accord,  proposed  to 
have  but  one  meal  a  day  only,  to  make  what  they  had 
last  as  long  as  possible,  as  they  had  been  told  they  must 
be  returned  to  their  respective  county  houses  which 
seemed  to  them  a  great  calamity.  On  the  evening 
devoted  to  religious  exercises  with  the  children,  as  a 
number  of  them  had,  within  a  few  months  previous, 
made  a  profession  of  religion,  they  most  earnestly 
prayed  that  God  would  make  friends  who  would  send 
provisions  so  they  would  not  have  to  go  back  to  the 
county  houses,  amid  sobs  and  tears.  The  matron 
remarked  it  was  the  most  affecting  meeting  she  had  ever 
attended — the  scene  the  most  thrilling  she  ever  witness- 
ed. All  this  destitution  had  been  kept  from  me,  as  I  was 
not  yet  able  to  leave  my  room,  but  liberty  from  my 


HOW  A  RILL  BECAME  A   RIVER.  585 

physician  was  obtained  to  consult  as  to  whom  they 
could  look  for  aid  in  this  their  sore  need.  I  dictated 
two  letters;  one  to  a  Sabbath  School  superintendent  at 
Franklin  Center,  and  one  to  the  pastor  of  the  .M.  E. 
Church  in  Tecumseh,  both  of  whom  had  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  our  work,  and,  within  a  week,  two  double 
team  loads  came  into  the  asylum.  As  the  barrels  of 
wheat,  corn,  potatoes,  flour,  meal,  meat,  etc.,  were 
rolled  in,  said  one  little  boy,  "Mrs.  Smith,  don't  you 
think  the  Lord  sent  us  all  this,  because  we  prayed  so 
hard  the  other  night?"  The  answer  was,  "Yes,  my 
child;  the  Lord  has  heard  our  prayer,  and  you  must 
harness  the  horse  immediately  for  me  to  go  to  Adrian 
and  tell  the  good  news."  Soon  she  was  in  the  buggy 
rolling  through  deep  snow  in  a  hard  snow  storm,  and 
came  into  my  room  with  uplifted  hands,  exclaiming, 
"My  dear  sister,  be  not  anxious  for  us  longer,  for  more 
supplies  have  come  in  today  than  we  have  had  in  two 
months,  and  the  driver  of  each  team  pledged  more  be- 
fore this  is  gone."  Thus  open  hands  and  liberal  hearts 
gladdened  our  souls,  strengthened  our  faith,  and  so 
encouraged  our  hearts  that  we  resolved  afresh  to  pur- 
sue our  plan  of  petitioning  our  legislature  just  con- 
vened, though  it  was  too  late  to  circulate  the  paper  as 
extensively  as  desirable. 

And  yet  obstacles  that  seemed  insurmountable  came 
in  the  way. 

Large  appropriations  were  being  called  for  in  be- 
half of  our  State  Insane  Asylum,  Deaf  and  Dumb 
Asylum,  State  Prison  improvements  and  State  Univers- 
ity. All  claimed  the  earnest  attention  of  the  legisla- 
ture; consequently  many  discouraged  our  plan  of  pre- 
senting a  petition  at  this  unhappy  juncture  of  so  many 
loud  calls,  while  Rev.  Asa  Mahan,  D.  D.  and  others 

39 


58H  A  WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK. 

encouraged  and  pressed  our  object  forward.  Not  being: 
able  to  even  see  the  petition  the  friends  were  vigilantly 
circulating, -but  praying  that  men  of  talent  and  influence 
comprising  our  legislative  body  might  see  and  feel  the 
necessity  of  granting  the  object,  when  President  Mahan 
and  his  wife  (the  latter  president  of  the  Michigan  Or- 
phan Asylum  Association)  and  brother  McCarty,  pastor 
of  the  M.  E.  church  of  our  city,  went  to  Lansing  bearing 
the  petition  and  faithfully  presenting  its  claims,  I  seemed 
to  rest  upon  the  promise  that  whatever  is  asked  in  faith 
believing  would  be  granted. 

At  length  Senator  Randall,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  bills,  drafted  a  bill  that  covered  our  peti- 
tion, and  which  was  accepted  by  our  Adrian  friends, 
as  fully  answering  its  end  and  aim.  It  was  introduced  in 
the  Senate  and  passed  with  but  little  opposition.  But 
the  length  of  time  that  elapsed  before  it  passed  the 
House,  gave  uneasiness  to  many,  fearing  it  might  die 
there.  But  what  a  thrill  of  joy  ran  through  my  soul, 
when  the  editor  of  the  Adrian  Times  called  at  my  door, 
saying,  "I  called  to  inform  you  that  the  State  Public 
School  bill  has  passed,  with  more  than  a  two  thirds 
vote.  The  dispatch  I've  just  received  from  Lansing  in- 
forms us,  that  the  bill  over  which  you  have  been  so 
anxious,  is  now  a  law.''  I  exclaimed,  "Praise  the 
Lord!  My  prayer,  more  than  four  years  long,  i#  an- 
swered'" 

It  seemed  that  a  burden  was  lifted  from  my  heart 
heavier  than  the  one  hundred  and  fifteen  pounds  avoirdu- 
pois of  this  little  house  I  live  in. 

As  I  said  during  the  war,  when  the  news  reached  us, 
from  Washington,  that  the  3,000  Union  soldiers  ban- 
ished on  Ship  Island  and  the  Dry  Tortugas  for  trivial 
military  offenses,  were  to  be  released  at  once — their 


HOW   A   RILL   BECAME   A   RIVER.  587 

record  I  had  examined,  and  had  presented  their  claim 
to  the  proper  authorities  in  Washington — "If  I  had  not 
been  spoiled  for  singing  by  being  reared  a  Friend 
Quaker,  I  could  sing  the  Doxology!"  For  now,  as  then, 
I  could  sing  it  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  understand- 
ing also.  The  Governor's  message  of  1870-71,  together 
with  the  able  and  elaborate  report  of  his  three  commis- 
sioners, gave  strength  and  courage  in  pressing  our  long- 
prayed-fer  theme. 

But  for  the  faithful  services  of  our  matron,  who 
endured  many  privations,  in  her  day  and  night  watch- 
ings  over  nearly  one  hundred  children  during  three 
years  through  our  severest  trials,  our  Home  School 
could  not  have  survived  while  passing  under  clouds 
that  seemed  too  dark  for  sunlight  to  smile  away,  while 
facing  icebergs  too  massive  to  disappear  before  his 
most  genial  rays.  But  no  death  occurred  in  our  school, 
no  illness  that  called  for  a  physician  except  once  in  a 
case  of  inflamation  of  the  eyes,  during  the  period  which 
closed  our  lease  for  the  asylum  premises.  The  board 
of  managers  then  removed  it  to  the  city  of  Adrian, 
where  it  is  still  open.  We  hope  to  see  the  improve- 
ment of  the  kindergarten  instruction  adopted  as  an 
important  stepping  stone  to  our  State  Public  School 
here  in  Coldwater. 

Four  months  residence  in  this  school  has  given  me 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  an  improvement  in  the  chil- 
dren that  speaks  volumes  in  favor  of  the  good  work  it  is 
accomplishing  in  educating  and  training  the  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-three  friendless  little  ones  for  usefulness 
in  after  life. 

With  pleasure  we  see  the  vast  contrast  in  conven- 
iences and  supplies  compared  with  our  little  "rill"  in 
which  we  so  long  paddled  our  own  canoe,  and  in  which 


A   WOMAN'S   LIFE-WORK. 

faithful  laborers  are  still  at  work.  Here  we  go  to  a  ward- 
robe well  filled  with  new  material,  out  of  which  the  chil- 
dren are  comfortably  clad,  and  beds  are  well  furnished,  in- 
stead of  over -hauling  and  making  over  second-hand 
clothing — for  which  we  were  always  grateful.  It  matters 
not  by  whom  this  great  work  has  so  far  been  accom- 
plished— it  matters  not  by  what  agencies  our  prayers  of 
more  than  four  years  long,  previous  to  the  adopting  of 
this  work  by  the  state,  were  answered.  Through  an 
over-ruling  power,  clouds  and  icebergs  have  vanished 
and  in  lieu  thereof  the  massive  brick  buildings  of 
the  State  Public  School  in  Coldwater  have  been  erected, 
instead  of  the  old  Raisin  Institute  where  it  drew  its  first 
breath. 

Laura  S.  Haviland. 
State  School,  Coldwater,  Mich.,  Feb.  8,  1875. 


CONCERNING  STATE   PUBLIC  SCHOOL.  589 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
CONCERNING  STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL. 

BILL  TO  ESTABLISH  A  STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL. 

The  Bill  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  drawn 
by  C.  D.  Randall,  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Bills,  to  cover  the  petition  presented  by  Rev.  Asa 
Mahan,  D.  D.  and  his  wife  who,  at  our  request  had  con- 
sented to  act  as  President  of  our  Association,  and  Rev. 
J.  H.  McCarty,  was  dated  at  Lansing,  Mich. ,  March  3, 
1871,  and  was  entitled  "A  Bill  to  Establish  a  State 
Public  School  for  Dependent  and  Neglected  Children." 
Section  1  reads  as  follows: 

"The  People  of  the  State  of  Michigan  enact,  That 
the  Governor  shall  appoint  five  commissioners,  for  the 
purpose  of  selecting  a  suitable  site  and  erecting  thereon 
buildings  for  a  State  school  or  temporary  home  for 
dependent  and  neglected  children,  such  institution  to  be 
known  as  the  State  Primary  School.'' 

The  bill  further  provides  for  the  securing  of  a  suit- 
able site  and  the  erection  of  a  building — appropriating 
$15,000  for  the  year  1871  and  the  same  amount  for  1872. 

General  supervision  and  government  of  the  school 
was  vested  in  a  Board  of  Control,  of  three  members, 
appointed  by  the  Govenor  by  and  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  the  Senate,  whose  term  of  office  is  six  years. 

The  closing  sections  of  the  bill  read  as  follows: 

Section  11.  There  shall  be  received  as  pupils  in 
such  school  those  children  that  are  over  five  and  under 


590  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

sixteen  years  of  age,  that  are  in  suitable  condition  of 
body  and  mind  to  receive  instruction,  who  are  neglected 
and  dependent,  and  especially  those  who  are  now  main- 
tained in  county  poor  houses,  those  who  have  been 
abandoned  by  their  parents,  or  are  orphans,  or  whose 
parents  have  been  convicted  of  crime.  The  said  Board 
of  Control  shall  have  power  to  receive  any  child  under 
the  age  of  five  years  or  over  sixteen  years  of  age,  and 
may  reject  any  between  five  and  sixteen  years  of  age 
whom  for  any  cause  they  may  deem  improper  inmates 
of  such  school.  No  pupil  shall  be  retained  in  said 
school  after  arriving  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  unless 
by  consent  of  said  Board  of  Control. 

Section  12.  "The  children  in  such  school  shall  be 
maintained  and  educated  in  the  branches  usually  taught 
in  common  schools,  and  shall  have  proper  physical  and 
moral  training. 

Section  13.  "It  is  declared  to  be  the  object  of  this 
act  to  provide  for  such  children  only  temporal  homes 
until  homes  can  be  procured  for  them  in  families.  It 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  Board  of  Control  to  use  all 
diligence  to  provide  suitable  places  in  good  families  for 
all  such  pupils  as  have  received  an  elementary  educa- 
tion; and  any  other  pupils  may  be  placed  in  good  fami- 
lies on  condition  that  their  education  shall  be  provided 
for  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town  or  city  where  they 
may  reside.  That  said  Board  of  Control  are  hereby 
made  the  legal  guardians  of  all  the  dhildren  who  may 
become  inmates  of  said  school,  with  authority  to  bind 
out  any  child  to  a  pursuit  or  trade  during  minority, 
under  a  contract  insuring  the  child  kind  and  proper 
treatment  and  a  fair  elementary  education. 

Section  14.  "That  whenever  there  shall  be  suffi- 
cient room  for  the  reception  of  the  class  of  children 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC  SCHOOL.  591 

described  in  this  act  in  such  State  Public  School  no  such' 
children  shall  hereafter  be  maintained  in  county  poor 
houses.  That  in  receiving  such  children  in  such  school, 
preference  shall  be  given  first  to  indigent  orphans  or 
half  orphans  of  deceased  soldiers  and  sailors  of  this 
state. 

Section  15.  "It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Superin- 
tendents of  the  Poor  of  each  county  and  the  authority 
also  granted  to  the  supervisor  of  any  town  or  ward,  to 
forward  to  such  school,  at  the  expense  of  the  county  to 
which  such  children  belong,  such  children  in  any  poor 
house  or  any  others  that  are  neglected  and  dependent, 
belonging  to  such  county,  which  children  shall  be  ad- 
mitted to  such  school  on  the  certificates  of  the  Super- 
intendents of  Poor  or  on  that  of  any  supervisor,  showing 
that  such  children  are  entitled  to  admittance." 

SELECTIONS  FROM  ANNUAL  REPORTS  OF  MICHIGAN 
ORPHAN  ASYLUM. 

How  fully  the  State  Public  School  was  a  continu- 
ation and  outgrowth  of  the  work  begun  in  our  Michigan 
Orphan  Asylum  may  be  seen  by  a  perusal  of  the  follow- 
ing condensed  items  from  the  annual  reports  of  the 
Asylum  for  the  years  1873  and  1874: 
PRESIDENT'S  REPORT. 

Ladies  of  the  Orphan  Asylum  Association: 

Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  close  of  an- 
other year  of  success  and  prosperity  in  our  institution. 
One  year  since  we  did  not  expect  another  annual  meet- 
ing or  another  entire  year  of  labor  in  this  work.  But 
Providence  has  otherwise  disposed  events.  As  we  re- 
view the  past  year,  two  special  blessings  are  apparent. 
No  death  has  occurred  among  the  children  in  charge, 


592  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

or  among  our  own  number.  Though  dangerous  illness 
has  attended  some  of  us,  all  are  spared.  Uniform  peace 
and  unanimity  of  counsel  has  also  been  maintained 
among  us,  and  all  can  say  the  year  has  been  crowned 
with  blessings. 

The  thoughtful  kindness  of  our  Governor  in  trans- 
mitting nearly  six  hundred  dollars  to  aid  us  in  our  work, 
is  worthy  special  mention.  Since  we  received  it,  no 
soliciting  of  charity  has  been  needed,  and  we  can  but 
contrast  the  present  prosperity  of  the  enterprise  with 
its  former  years  of  bitter  trial,  remote  from  friends,  and 
its  wants  known,  even,  to  but  few.  All  honor  to  those 
who  in  those  years  labored  in  self-denial  for  the  desti- 
tute. Their  record  is  on  high.  *  *  * 

We  have  had  under  our  care  the  past  year  twenty- 
four  children;  least  number  at  any  time,  seven;  greatest, 
fourteen.  There  have  been  thirteen  boys  and  eleven 
girls.  Of  those  in  the  asylum  last  year,  five  have  been 
removed  by  their  parents.  Pour  are  still  in  homes  we 
have  provided  them,  and  one  has  been  found  a  home  by 
the  Overseers  of  the  Poor.  Of  those  we  have  now,  four 
are  colored,  one  boy  and  three  girls.  Two  were  found 
to  be  in  homes  undesirable  for  them  and  have  been  re- 
moved by  us  and  placed  elsewhere.  Nine  attend  school 
regularly  from  the  Asylum 

We  can  but  think  it  would  afford  pleasure  to  any 
benevolent  heart  to  visit  our  Asylum,  and  see  not  only 
the  neatness  and  order  existing,  but  the  really  bright 
and  pretty  children,  many  of  whom  would  be  made 
happy  by  adoption  in  some  good  home. 

Mrs.  James  Berry,  President, 
And  Chairman  of  Com.  on  Admission  and  Dismission. 


CONCERNING  STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL.      593 
SECRETARY'S  REPORT. 

Mrs.  President,  and  Ladies  of  the  Association: 

Another  year's  work  in  our  Asylum  is  completed, 
and  again  we  pause  for  a  review  of  the  same. 

Many  indeed  are  our  causes  for  gratitude,  and 
prominent  among  these  is  the  fact  that  early  in  the  year, 
owing  to  the  thoughtful  consideration  of  unfortunate 
humanity's  large-hearted  friend,  our  Governor,  we  were 
entirely  freed  from  the  necessity  of  soliciting  funds,  or 
aid  in  any  way,  for  the  Asylum.  These  funds  have 
been  carefully  and  prudently  disbursed,  so  that  while  an 
abundance  has  been  furnished  for  the  family,  we  still 
possess  a  goodly  store  in  trust. 

The  Board  have  cause  for  thankfulness,  also,  that 
they  still  possess  the  services  of  the  efficient  and  care- 
taking  matron,  Mrs.  Pendleton. 

Thanksgiving  and  the  holidays  were  made  seasons 
of  great  enjoyment  to  the  Asylum  children,  good  cheer 
and  Christmas  gifts  being  freely  dispensed. 

The  same  harmony  and  kindly  feeling  of  the  pre- 
vious year  has  been  manifested  in  all  the  workings  of 
the  Board. 

The  most  hearty  thanks  of  the  Association  are  due 
to  our  President  for  her  energy  in  the  interests  of  the 
Asylum,  where  a  fainter  heart  might  have  quailed.  She, 
and  also  the  Chairman  of  the  Household  and  Clothing 
Committees,  have  given  an  amount  of  time  and  labor  to 
the  work  deserving  and  receiving  the  gratitude  of  all 
who  know  of  their  self-sacrificing  and  disinterested 
efforts. 

To  the  proprietors  of  the  Times  and  Expositor,  and 
the  Press  also,  we  are  under  great  obligations,  and  re- 
turn to  them  our  most  cordial  thanks. 

Mrs.  A.  P.  Bixby,  Secretary. 


594  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

REPORT  OF  THE  TREASURER. 

The  following  report  of  the  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Michigan  Orphan  Asylum 
association,  for  the  year  ending  Jan.  1,  1874,  is  respect- 
fully submitted: 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance  in  Treasury  Jan.  1,  1873         .         .         $  254  67 

Kent  county  for  care  of  children         .         .  210  24 

Jackson           "       "     "        "               .        .  210  24 

Lenawee         "       "     "..;•««               .  268  46 

Eaton                                      "               .  105  12 

Washtenaw     "       "     "                         .  11  70 
Gov.  Baldwin  (from  the  State  Central  Relief 

committee  for  sufferers  by  fire)          .         .  591  92 

Cash  received  anonymously      .        .        .        .  31  72 

Mrs.  Lewis  for  school  books      .         .         .         .  3  65 

Interest  on  deposits             9  17 

Interest  on  loan                           .         .         .         .  32  16 


Total     .  .  ...         $1,729  15 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Household  committee           ....  $  848  00 

Clothing            "             60  00 

Printing  and  stationery          .         .         .         .  11  00 

School  books             5  75 

Christmas  for  the  children      .        .        .        .  5  00 

Stamps  on  checks 42 

Cash  on  hand        ....  $198  98 

Loan 600 

798  98 


$1,729  15 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Clay,  Treasurer. 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  595 

PRESIDENT'S  REPORT. 

Ladies  of  the  Association : 

We  have  assembled  this  afternoon,  in  accordance 
with  our  usual  custom,  for  our  annual  election,  reports, 
&c.  The  necessity  of  such  a  custom  is  fully  apparent. 
The  idea  of  the  organization  of  this  institution  in  our 
community  was  first  suggested  by  that  energetic  lady, 
Mrs.  Laura  S.  Haviland,  who,  with  the  co-operation  of  a 
number  of  benevolent  assistants,  commenced  the  work. 
The  effort  to  permanently  locate  the  State  School  in 
Adrian  being  unsuccessful,  and  the  school  at  Coldwater 
being  already  full,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  our  asylum, 
having  the  good  of  these  little  unfortunate  ones  at 
heart,  have  determined  for  the  present  to  continue  their 
labors.  What  they  are  accomplishing  in  this  respect  is 
apparent  to  any  one  who  has  paid  a  visit  to  the  asylum 
on  Winter  Street.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  of  the  faith- 
fulness and  devotion  of  the  present  matron,  Miss  E. 
Lewis,  whose  services  have  been  most  satisfactory. 
We  trust  that  the  interest  that  has  been  shown  in  former 
times  may  not  diminish,  but  that  as  long  as  the  asylum 
exists,  it  may  not  lack  earnest  and  devoted  friends. 
Mrs.  E.  L.  Clark,  President. 

SECRETARY'S  REPORT. 

On  the  first  Wednesday  of  January,  l«6b,  from  what 
had  been  known  as  the  "Haviland  Home"  was  legally  or- 
ganized and  incorporated  the  "Michigan  Orphan  Asy- 
lum." Three  of  the  original  charter  members  have  been 
re-elected  at  every  annual  meeting,  and  are  to-day  among 
its  most  efficient  workers — Mrs.  W.  L.  Beecher,  Miss 
Sarah  Lewis  and  Miss  E.  R.  Stebbins  The  object  of 
this  organization  was  to  provide  a  home  for  destitute 
orphan  children,  where  they  might  be  trained  to  habits 


596  A    WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

of  industry  and  self-reliance,  becoming  in  time  respect- 
able and  honored  members  of  society.  For  these  years 
it  has  been  supported  by  private  charities,  by  donations 
and  the  small  compensation  of  $1  per  week  for  each 
child  from  Superintendents  of  Poor  sending  children  to 
our  care.  During  this  time  over  two  hundred  have  been 
cared  for  and  good  homes  provided  for  a  large  portion 
of  them.  In  all  these  years  not  one  has  been  removed 
by  death.  Since  the  transfer  of  the  asylum  to  the  city 
from  its  adjacent  country  location,  the  schools  of  the 
city  have  been  open  to  the  asylum  family,  and  the  same 
facilities  afforded  for  their  education  as  fortune's  most 
favored  ones.  In  1871  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
asylum  petitioned  the  Legislature  to  adopt  this  unfortu- 
nate class  of  children,  and  make  them  its  wards  hence- 
forth, providing  for  them  a  suitable  home  When  the 
subject  was  first  agitated  it  was  jeered  at,  and  its  friends 
told  that  to  prosecute  the  work  was  worse  than  useless. 
In  spite  of  all  opposition  they  persevered,  and  the  State 
Public  School  at  Coldwater  is  the  result  of  the  untiring 
perseverance  and  energy  of  these  ladies.  And  while 
we  still  insist  that  Adrian  should  have  been  its  location, 
yet  we  rejoice  in  the  accomplishment  of  a  great  and 
glorious  work,  the  permanent  care  of  orphaned  children. 
During  the  last  year  this  school  has  been  opened, 
and  a  large  proportion  of  the  children  at  our  asylum 
removed  there.  In  the  several  County  Houses  of  the 
State  there  are,  however,  still  331  children  over  four  years 
of  age,  and  entitled  to  admission  to  the  school,  for  whom 
there  are  no  accommodations.  There  are  also  113  under 
four  years  of  age,  not  idiotic,  making  444  children  sub- 
ject still  to  all  the  unhappy  and  blighting  influences  of 
a  life  in  a  County  House.  A  circular  has  been  recently 
sent  out  from  this  association  to  the  several  Superintend- 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  597 

ents  of  the  Poor,  proposing  still  to  take  these  children 
and  care  for  them  in  every  way  for  $1  or  $1.50  per  week, 
according  to  age,  until  good  homes  can  be  secured  for 
them,  or  until  the  State  provides  for  them.  Humanity's 
interest,  it  would  seem,  would  induce  these  Superintend- 
ents to  make  such  a  change  in  the  homes  of  these  little 
ones. 

Within  the  last  year  twenty-six  different  children 
have  been  with  us,  most  of  whom  are  now  in  the  State 
Public  School. 

Mrs.  A.  F.  Bixby,  Secretary. 

TREASURER'S  REPORT. 

Receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Michigan  Orphan  asylum  for  the  year  ending  Jan.  1, 
1875: 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance  in  Treasury  Jan.  1,  1874,             .  $19898 

Lenawee  county 235  67 

Jackson        " 88  00 

Eaton                               37  00 

Kent              "  146  00 

Washtenaw  county        .        .  33  00 

Grand  Traverse  county        ...  2  00 

Interest  on  deposits                                 ,  1  25 

Flynn  property  (for  clothing  boy)         .  10  00 

Educational  Com. ,  (balance)        ...  35 

On  loan 30000 

Borrowed  of  First  National  Bank  200  M 

Total $1252  25 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Printing  and  stationery        .  15  00 

Household  Com.  ...  925  00 


598  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

Clothing        " 45  00 

Admission  and  dismission  Com.,  (transferring 

children) 6  00 

Educational  Com.,  (books)        ....  5  00 

Matron,  (taking  boy  to  Cold  water)         .  5  00 

Note  at  First  national  Bank        .         .         .  200  00 

Interest  on  same        ......  9  78 

Stamps  for  checks 24 

Cash  on  hand  41  23 


Total 1252  25 

TOTAL    RESOURCES. 

Balance  of  loan  unpaid        ....  $300  00 

Accrued  interest  on  same        ....  48  00 

Cash  on  hand  41  23 


Total  $389  23 

Mrs.  F.  W.  Clay, 

Treasurer. 

SELECTIONS  FROM  THE  PRESS. 

Detroit  Advertiser  and  Tribune,  1872. 

All  seasons  we  know  are  suitable  for  thanksgiving: 
to  our  dear  Heavenly  Father  for  the  good  gifts  we 
enjoy  each  day;  but  it  is  a  conceded  custom  dating  far 
back  among  our  ancient  fathers  in  Greece  and  others 
of  olden  times,  to  grow  glad  with  the  Har\rest  Home 
and  to  remember  especially  at  that  season  the  poor 
whom  we  have  with  us  alway. 

My  attention  has  been  called  within  the  last  few 
weeks  to  the  fact  that  at  Adrian,  through  the  earnest 
efforts  of  one  who  following  the  example  and  precept 
of  Him  who  went  about  continually  doing  good,  is  an 
Asylum  incomplete,  for  the  colored  orphan.  I  am  told 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  599 

that  this  home  is  wanting  a  schoolroom  and  comfortable 
requirements  otherwise;  it  is  the  only  institution  in  this 
state  that  is  open  to  colored  children.  Duririg  the  last 
two  weeks  it  may  have  been  observed  that  with  an  in- 
dustry urged  on  by  a  generous,  loving  spirit,  a  mild  and 
quiet  woman  wearing  the  armor  of  love  and  good-will 
to  all  men,  has  passed  from  the  prison  walls  to  the 
homes  of  many  friendless,  to  the  House  of  Correction, 
to  the  Mission  School  and  other  charitable  institutions, 
urging  upon  those  whom  she  meets  the  truth  of  high 
aims  in  life  and  scattering  the  seeds  everywhere  of 
immortal  import.  Laura  S.  Haviland  is  with  us;  and  if 
her  name  is  not  well  known  it  is  because  her  left  hand 
knoweth  not  the  good  works  of  her  right.  For  thirty 
years  her  feeble  step,  made  firm  by  her  strong  heart, 
has  traversed  the  United  States  from  its  northern 
borders  to  the  Gulf,  seeking  the  most  wretched  to  aid, 
not  only  with  good  gifts  but  with  healing  for  the  broken 
spirit  that  lies  in  the  balm  of  love  and  promise;  visiting 
lone  and  sad  homes,  encouraging  those  whose  surround- 
ings have  brought  sin  into  their  lives.  She  has,  with 
all  charitableness,  still  held  up  manhood  and  woman- 
hood with  such  tender  entreaty  as  only  a  righteous  soul 
could  dictate. 

During  our  dreary  war  she  walked  faithfully  the 
prison  dens,  the  battle  fields,  through  deserted  planta- 
tions, a  sister  of  comfort  indeed,  and  to-day  three 
thousand  good  Union  boys,  who  remember  with  horror 
days  and  months  of  torture  on  the  Dry  Tortugas  and 
Ship  Island,  sentenced  there  by  a  wicked  judge,  will 
remember  with  undying  gratitude  the  hour  that  brought 
Laura  Haviland  to  those  desolate  scenes,  who  kneeling 
i^vith  them  as  their  chains  clanked  and  grated  on  their 
damp  floors,  implored  them,  amid  their  disease,  despair 


600  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

and  wretchedness,  to  hold  fast  their  faith  and  trust  in 
God;  and  her  prayers  gave  them  strength  and  her  power 
gave  them  "freedom.  How  many  in  Detroit  know  these 
wonderful  truths  of  one  whose  name  perhaps  before  to- 
day they  have  never  heard? 

And  now  this  good  servant  of  Truth  is  here,  faith- 
ful in  her  trust,  endeavoring  to  gather  means  to  make 
strong  and  warm  this  Asylum,  bearing  the  name  of ' 'The 
Haviland  Home." 

It  will  save  her  great  fatigue,  and  remove  a 
heavy  burden,  to  meet  with  a  willing  response  to  her 
call  for  assistance.  Already  some  of  our  large  hearted 
merchants  have  contributed  lumber  and  means,  but  her 
wants  are  not  supplied.  It  is  the  privilege  of  our  citizens 
to  co-operate  with  Mrs.  Haviland  to  fulfill  the  law  of 
Him  who  said  that  inasmuch  as  ye  do  it  to  one  of  the 
least  of  God's  little  ones  ye  do  it  unto  Him. 

E.  S.  L. 

Editorial  in  Advertiser  and  Tribune. 

We  can  fully  indorse  the  generous  tribute  to  the 
labors*  of  Mrs.  Haviland,  which  appears  in  another 
column.  She  is  a  lady  of  rare  excellence  of  character, 
and  has  performed  an  amount  of  effective  philanthropic 
and  Christian  labor  for  the  slave,  the  poor,  the  sick,  the 
outcast,  the  orphan,  the  imprisoned,  the  dying,  the 
mourning,  and  more  lately  the  freedmen,  that  but  for  her 
unobtrusive  manner,  must  have  made  her  name  known 
in  every  State  of  the  Union,  if  not  beyond  the  seas. 
The  writer  of  this,  sick  and  alone  in  a  great  city  board- 
ing-house, during  a  dreadful  visitation  of  cholera, 
recalls  his  first  knowledge  of  her  services  more  than 
eighteen  years  ago.  She  was  then  not  new  at  the  work. 


CONCERNING   STATE  PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  601 

She  has  never  rested  since,  and  she  never  will  rest  until 
death  shall  compel  her  to  rest. 


Detroit  Post  and  Tribune,  1875. 

When  Michigan  comes  to  know  her  gracious 
sisterhood,  there  stands  not  alone,  one  little  unassuming 
woman,  whose  heart  is  full  of  love  for  all  neglected 
humanity,  who  with  open  hands  and  willing  feet  is 
picking  up  the  little  neglected  children  of  our  state  and 
whose  work  has  resulted  in  the  State  Public  School  at 
Coldwater,  one  of  the  very  best  of  our  State  Institu- 
tions. How  few  there  are  who  know  it,  whose  ears 
have  ever  heard  it,  that  for  forty  years,  with  heart 
never  weary,  with  steps  ever  steady,  with  hope  in  the 
willing  sacrifice,  the  corner  stone  of  this  home  was 
laid,  and  upon  it  was  poured  the  wine  of  love,  the  oil 
of  faith,  the  giving  of  daily  industry.  In  a  room  of  the 
building  is  a  small  likeness  of  her,  the  mother  of  it  all. 

As  the  seed  is  to  the  fruit,  so  is  Laura  S.  Haviland 
to  this  great  school  of  education.  She  planted  the 
seed — cherished  it,  and  the  fruit  will  crown  this  Michi- 
gan, which  all  love  to  call  in  song  "Our  Michigan." 
Many  children  grown  to  maturity,  men  and  women  of 
the  future,  will  know  no  dearer  human  name,  will  re- 
member none  with  more  sincere  affection  than  the  one 
of  her,  the  small  and  faithful  woman,  Laura  S.  Havi- 
land, who  wrought  in  cheerful  gladness  for  all  she  knew 
of  needy  ones  not  alone  the  orphans  of  our  state. 

Eliza  S.  Leggett. 

Detroit,  Michigan,  1875. 


The  Detroit  Tribune. 

Michigan,  among  her  institutions,  of  which  she  is 
justly  proud,  has  none  worthier  that  grows  under  her 


602  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

maternal  care  than  the  State  Public  School  at  Cold- 
water.  That  this  should  attract  the  attention  of  its 
people,  and  draw  forth  commendation  is  not  surprising. 
That  the  question  should  ever  be,  "Whence  its  origin— 
who  first  started  this  philanthropic  idea?"  is  quite 
natural.  The  Pioneer  Society  of  Lenawee  county, 
which  conserves  the  bits  of  treasure  that  grow  golden 
fruit  for  its  family  tree,  should  look  to  its  Adrian  for  an 
answer  to  these  questions.  It  would  find,  among  its 
heaped  up  and  neglected  stores,  stories  from  the  Havi- 
land  Home,  and  records  which  could  come  from  every 
hearth- stone  of  its  citizens — such  records  that  not  only 
Adrian,  but  Michigan  and  our  country  would  recognize 
as  gifts  to  its  greatness — stories  that  would  place  the 
name  of  one  quiet,  meek  and  courageous  woman  in 
illuminated  letters,  in  every  true  record  of  work  well 
done. 

If  '  'honor  to  whom  honor  is  due"  is  a  meed  that  a 
state  owes  to  its  best,  then  the  task  is  an  easy  one  to 
place  the  name  of  Laura  S.  Haviland,  as  being  the  first 
and  most  constant  worker  during  the  last  forty  years, 
(and  whose  labors  are  not  yet  finished)  in  breaking  the 
soil  and  sowing  the  seed  which  at  this  present  time  has 
borne  the  fruit  as  appears  to  be  good,  in  this  institu- 
tion that  shelters  those  who  need  the  care  of  both 
father  and  mother. 

I  was  surprised  to  find  in  the  Coldwater  Republican 
of  November  26th  the  following  in  an  article  headed 
"Dr.  Cutter's  Retirement. "  "An  idea  has  prevailed  in 
some  quarters  that  the  State  Public  School  developed 
from  a  worthy  private  charity  in  another  section  of  the 
State.  If  there  is  any  credit  due  any  one  for  working 
up  the  organization  of  this  worthy  state  charity,  it 
should  be  to  those  who  have  without  compensation 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  603 

given  years  of  work  to  an  enterprise  in  the  success  of 
which  we  all  have  such  a  deep  interest." 

That  the  name  of  Laura  S.  Haviland  is  ignored  in 
the  article  must  be  owing  to  a  mistake. 

Justice. 


The  Detroit  Tribune,  1875. 

We  copy  the  following  from  the  Adrian  Times, 
adding  that  its  statements  agree  with  our  own  informa- 
tion on  the  point  spoken  of:  ' 'The  State  Public  School, 
as  it  now  stands,  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  'private  char- 
ity' that  was  begun  in  another  section  of  the  State, 
namely,  Lenawee  county.  From  the  time  of  its  incep- 
tion, in  the  town  of  Raisin,  under  the  auspices  of  that 
noble  woman,  Laura  S.  Haviland,  during  its  operation 
in  this  city  under  the  care  of  the  benevolent  women  of 
Adrian  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  particularly 
during  those  days  when  Lanawee  county  women 
through  Dr.  Mahan  and  others,  were  pressing  the  duty 
of  caring  for  God's  poor  little  ones  on  the  Legislature — 
during  all  that  time,  active  effort  and  sympathy  for  the 
movement  was  confined  to  the  section  of  the  State  that 
had  so  far  nourished  the  enterprise. 

It  is  true  that  Mr.  Randall  drew  the  bill  named,  and 
it  is  equally  true  that  that  bill  was  simply  the  embodi- 
ment of  the  petition  sent  up  to  the  Legislature  by  the 
friends  of  the  orphans'  school  in  this  city.  The  school 
as  it  now  stands  in  Coldwater,  is  a  noble  monument  to 
the  work  and  efforts  of  those  through  whose  instrument- 
ality it  had  its  origin.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that  now,  in  the  hour  of  its  success,  ambitious  parties 
are  anxious  to  claim  the  credit  of  having  originated  the 
noble  charity,  but  we  are  yet  too  near  the  day  of  the 
birth  of  this  charity,  and  the  anxious  hours  and  days 


604  A  WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK. 

through  which  its  friends  watched  over  it,  uncertain 
whether  it  would  live  or  die,  to  forget  who  those  *  'ends 
were.  If  one  person  can  be  named  to  whom,  more  than 
to  any  other  one,  belongs  credit  in  this  matter,  that  one 
is  Laura  S.  Haviland." 


Syracuse  (N.  Y.  )  Journal. 

The  New  England  States,  from  their  earliest  history , 
have  been  noted  for  the  excellence  of  their  educational 
system,  and  the  devotion  of  the  people  to  its  interests. 
First  the  church,  then  the  school  house  soon  followed 
by  the  college,  was  the  rule  upon  which  the  pilgrim 
fathers  acted.  Emulating  the  spirit  of  these  thought- 
ful and  far-seeing  patriots,  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Michigan  have  made  themselves  conspicuous  among  the 
brotherhood  of  States  for  the  high  character  of  their 
schools  and  the  superiority  of  the  buildings  deX^oted  to 
their  use. 

But  Michigan  has  not  rested  satisfied  with  provid- 
ing for  the  culture  of  her  well-to-do  sons  and  daughters, 
and  allowed  her  orphans  and  the  children  of  unfortu- 
nates and  criminals  to  grow  up  as  best  they  might;  or 
gathered  them,  when  compelled  thereto,  into  asylums 
and  reformatory  or  penal  institutions.  On  the  contrary, 
the  Legislature,  with  great  wisdom,  has  caused  to  be 
established  a  State  Public  School,  where  dependent 
children,  between  the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen,  may  be 
received,  and  during  those  years  fed,  clothed  and 
educated  at  the  public  expense;  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time,  or  before,  seeks  to  find  for  them  good  homes  in 
suitable  families.  This  is  the  only  institution  of  the 
kind  in  the  United  States,  and  though  having  been  in 
operation  but  little  more  than  a  year,  its  success  and 
value  are  alreadv  demonstrated. 


CONCERNING   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL.  605 

There  are  in  the  School  one  hundred  and  eighty 
children,  who  are  admitted  through  the  Superintendent 
of  the  Poor,  or  on  the  certificate  of  the  Judge  of  Probate 
of  the  proper  county  that  the  applicant  is  dependent  on 
the  public  for  support.  Preference  is  given  to  the 
children  of  soldiers  and  sailors  and  those  who  are  in 
the  county  poor-houses.  If  the  capacity  of  the  building 
is  sufficient  for  all  such  children,  it  is  unlawlul  to  retain 
any  in  the  almshouses,  and  until  the  capacity  is  suffi- 
cient for  all,  the  admissions  are  to  be  divided  pro  rato 
among  the  counties  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
dependent  children  in  each.  The  Governor  is  author- 
ized to  appoint  in  each  county  a  person,  one  of  whose 
duties  it  is  to  find  suitable  families  to  adopt  and  educate 
children  belonging  to  this  School  when  they  shall  have 
arrived  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  or  before  if  desired,  and 
to  visit  them  in  such  homes  at  least  once  a  year  until 
their  majority,  and  to  remove  them  when  improperly 
treated.  Already  quite  a  large  number  of  these  children 
have  been  adopted  into  good  families,  and  there  is  a 
steady  call  at  the  institution  for  the  little  waifs.  The 
admissions  are  not  limited  to  orphans,  but  all  children 
that  are  dependent  on  the  public  are  admissible. 

This  is  more  than  an  asylum;  it  is  a  home  and  a 
school;  it  is  in  no  sense  a  penal  or  a  so-called  reformatory 
institution,  and  no  disgrace  whatever  attaches  to  any  of 
its  inmates.  They  are  simply  the  wards  of  the  State, 
which  regards  this  as  the  most  philanthropic  and  eco- 
nomical method  of  dealing  with  those  who,  at  a  tender 
age,  are  thrown  by  accident  or  misfortune  upon  its  care. 
In  the  large  dining-hall  the  visitor  sees  each  "cottage 
manager"  seated  at  the  head  of  the  table  surrounded  by 
her  family  of  thirty  cleanly,  healthy  and  happy- looking 
children,  who  are  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  good 


606      .  A  WOMAN'S  LTFE-WORK. 

food.  In  addition  to  the  daily  sessions  of  the  school- 
room, the  children  of  sufficient  age  are  taught  various 
useful  trades,  and  already  have  become  expert  in  mend- 
ing their  own  shoes  and  clothing,  and  in  the  baking  and 
in  some  mechanical  pursuits. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  great  benefits  aris- 
ing to  the  state  and  the  country  at  large  from  this  in- 
stitution. Here  are  children  rescued  from  the  slums  of 
vice,  cleansed,  educated,  prepared  for  usefulness  in  life 
and  set  on  the  high  road  to  an  honorable  citizenship. 
It  is  a  noble  charity,  worthily  inaugurated  by  the  great 
State  of  Michigan,  and  one  that  has  commended  itself 
to  the  favorable  notice  of  other  states,  which  are  pre- 
paring to  follow  its  example.  The  State  of  New  York 
could  not  do  a  wiser  act  than  to  establish  a  similar  in- 
stitution for  the  hundreds  of  orphaned  and  abandoned 
children  who  through  neglect  are  now  growing  up  to  be 
a  curse  and  an  added  expense  to  the  commonwealth. 


The  Adrian  Times. 

Lansing,  Mich.,  Feb.  17,  1871. — In  the  Senate,  this 
morning,  Senator  Wilcox  presented  a  petition  of  the 
Michigan  Orphan  Asylum,  of  Adrian,  that  it  may  be 
taken  by  the  state,  and  be  turned  into  a  State  Public 
School  for  pauper  children.  It  was  referred. 

SELECTIONS  FROM  PERSONAL  LETTERS. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Conover,  D.  D. ,  the  writer  of  the  follow- 
ing, was  for  many  years  rector  of  the  Episcopalian 
church. 

Detroit,  Michigan. 
Mrs.  Laura  S.  Haviland, 

My   Dear  Friend: — By  all  those  who  are 
acquainted  with  the  work  from  the  beginning,  you  are 


CONCERNING  STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL. 

recognized  as  the  founder  of  the  State  Public  School 
for  Dependent  Children.  No  doubt  others  did  early  and 
excellent  work  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  in  official 
capacity  at  Coldwater  and  elsewhere  to  promote  this 
institution  and  no  one  will  detract  any  just  credit  from 
any  of  them. 

But  what  I  mean  by  Founder  is  this:  that  the 
original  idea  of  such  an  institution  is  yours;  that  several 
years  before  the  institution  at  Coldwater  was  provided 
for  or  built,  you  had  carried  on  a  school  in  every  way 
similar  to  it  in  the  Raisin  Institute,  Southern  Michigan; 
that  on  a  given  occasion  you  refused  to  have  your  name 
continued  on  a  sign  at  that  school  because  it  was  then 
in  your  mind  that  some  day  the  state  would  adopt  and 
enlarge  the  work  and  you  did  not  want  it  stamped  as 
personal  or  local.  These  are  facts  I  know. 

I  also  well  remember  that  on  repeated  visits  to  me 
and  my  family  in  Detroit  (for  I  have  known  you  since 
1850)  you  talked  about  your  visiting  various  County 
Poor  Houses  and  taking  children  from  them  to  be  cared 
for  in  your  school  I  have  spoken  of.  I  remember  several 
occasions  when  you  left  my  house  and  went  direct  to 
Poor  Houses  for  their  dependent  children,  and  took  them 
to  your  school.  I  know  from  conversation  with  you  at 
that  time  that  you  had  in  mind  to  petition  the  State 
Legislature,  which  you  afterwards  did,  for  the  state  to 
take  the  idea  of  your  school  and  found  such  an  Institu- 
tion on  a  large  scale  so  that  all  children  in  the  County  - 
Houses  of  the  entire  state  should  be  taken  from  them, 
cared  for  and  educated  in  secular  learning  and  Christian 
morals  by  it. 

The  petition  that  first  called  the  attention  of  the 
Legislature  to  the  subject  was  prepared  by  you  and 
your  friends,  and  there  is  very  little  in  the  law  provid- 


608  A  WOMAN'S    LIFE-WORK. 

ing  for  the  School  in  Coldwater  that  was  not  in  the 
petition — only  some  detail,  not  one  new  idea  about  the 
character  and  use  of  the  school. 

I  believe  if  you  had  not  been  prostrated  by  an 
almost  fatal  sickness,  when  the  Legislature  acted  on 
this  matter;  but  had  been  in  Lansing  in  support  of  the 
required  legislation  as  you  had  expected  to  be,  the  facts 
would  have  been  so  notorious,  that  no  one  could  have 
found  it  possible  to  doubt  your  claim,  which  is  true  and 
just  and  ought  to  be  fully  established.  I  believe  it 
will  be. 

With  high  esteem, 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

J.  F.  Conover. 


The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  Rev. 
J.  H.  McCarty  who  was  one  of  those  who  presented  our 
petition  to  the  legislature  at  Lansing.  He  has  since 
died. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Nov.  21,  1896. 

834  llth  Street,  North  East, 

The  State  School  owes  its  existence  to-day  to  Mrs. 
L.  S.  Haviland.  The  gentleman,  to  whom  you  allude, 
may  have  drawn  up  the  bill,  anyone  could  have  done 
that,  but  anyone  could  not  have  founded  and  carried 
on  the  school  as  she  did.  When  its  history  shall  have 
been  written  she  should  have  the  credit. 

I  am  truly  yours, 

J.  H.  McCarty. 


Adrian,  Mich.,  Dec.  14,  1896. 

I  was  supervisor  of  the  Third  Ward  from  1866  to 
1872.  I  had  charge  of  the  poor  in  the  ward  during  the 
time. 


CONCERNING  STATE  PUBLIC  SCHOOL. 

I  had  occasion  to  take  persons  to  the  County  House 
during  the  time.  My  attention  was  attracted  to  the 
children  confined  there;  their  condition  was  deplorable 
in  the  extreme.  I  called  the  attention  of  the  Super- 
intendents of  the  Poor  to  it.  They  said  they  could  not 
see  how  they  could  help  it. 

At  this  time  Laura  S.  Haviland  had  established  a 
school  and  a  home  which  was  called  the  Haviland 
Home. 

I  called  on  Burton  Kent  who  was  chairman  of  the 
board.  He  said  he  would  see  the  rest  of  the  board  and 
see  what  they  would  do.  I  met  him  soon  afterward 
and  he  said  he  had  consulted  with  the  Board  and  they 
said  she  could  take  the  children  and  they  would  pay 
her  what  it  cost  them  to  keep  them  at  the  Poor  House, 
which  was  one  dollar  a  week.  I  saw  Mrs.  Haviland 
soon  after  I  saw  Mr.  Kent  and  she  said  she  would  take 
them  and  care  for  them. 

Mrs.  Haviland  visited  other  Poor  Houses  in  the 
State  and  brought  the  homeless  children  to  the  Home. 
Mrs.  Haviland  and  a  few  other  Christians,  who  were 
donating  and  soliciting  for  the  Home,  saw  that  it  was 
getting  too  large  for  them  to  handle  and  that  the  State 
should  take  hold  of  it.  So  petitions  were  gotten  up 
and  Asa  Mahan,  D.  D.  and  wife  and  Rev.  J.  McCarty, 
pastor  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  were  sent  to  Lansing  with 
them.  This  was  the  origin  of  the  State  School  for 
homeless  children. 

Truly  yours, 

J.  W.  Helme. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  to  before  me  this  14th  day 
of  December  1896. 

J.  W.  Helme,  Jr., 
Notary  Public,  Lenawee  County,  Michigan. 


610  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

CONCERNING  INDUSTRIAL    SCHOOL    FOR   GIRLS,    AT 
ADRIAN,  MICHIGAN. 

Perhaps  next  in  importance  to  the  State  Public 
School  at  Coldwater,  is  the  Industrial  School  for  Girls 
that  was  established  at  Adrian,  in  answer  to  a  petition 
of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  of  this  State.  A  number  of  us 
went  to  Lansing,  met  the  committee  on  penal  and 
reformatory  institutions,  and  presented  the  necessity  of 
this  school  for  girls.  Our  petition  was  favorably 
received  and  a  number  of  bills  were  drafted. 

I  interviewed  a  number  of  members  who  were  in 
favor  of  a  "Reform  Schools  for  Girls"  and  proposed  the 
name  "Industrial"  instead  of  "Reform."  At  first  they 
were  quite  opposed  to  the  change,  saying,  "The  school 
for  boys  is  called  a  '•Reform'  school  and  girls  are  no 
better  than  boys."  I  replied,  "Admitted;  but  name  the 
school  for  girls  'Industrial,'  and  change  the  name  of 
the  boys'  school  to  correspond."  This  they  thought 
could  not  be  done  as  the  name  of  the  boys'  school  was 
already  established  by  law,  but  I  told  them  that  law* 
could  be  changed  and  insisted  that  "Industrial"  was 
more  inspiring  to  young  minds  and  hearts  than 
"Reform." 

Mr.    Bingham,  the  Chairman  on  bills,  gave  me  a 
number  that  had  been  drawn  for  the  purpose  of  pre 
sentation  and  told  me  to  look  them  over,  select  the 
one  I  liked  best  and  make  any  change  I  might  think 
an  improvement  and  bring  it  to  him.     Out  of  them  all 


INDUSTRIAL  SCHOOL   FOR  GIRLS.  611 

I  selected  the  Palmer  bill  and  made  some  changes, 
among  the  most  important  of  which  was  the  change  of 
name  which  we  have  mentioned  above.  This  was  the 
only  one  that  met  with  opposition,  but  I  told  them  I 
was  before  them  an  importunate  widow  but  would  not 
admit  that  I  was  appealing  to  an  unjust  judge  for  I 
believed  the  gentlemen  to  whom  I  was  speaking  would 
see  the  propriety  of  this  change.  I  insisted  that  the 
memory  of  having  been  in  an  Industrial  School  would 
be  a  far  better  one  for  these  girls,  and  boys  also,  to 
carry  with  them  through  life,  for  industry  was  honor- 
able in  all  and  it  was  our  duty  to  hold  up  the  possibility 
of  right  character  building  as  within  the  reach  of  every 
youth  and  to  help  them  to  make  right  decisions  so  that 
they  would  "dare  to  do  right"  under  all  circumstances 
and  in  all  places — that  to  keep  this  idea  before  them 
was  to  help  them  to  become  good  citizens  and  inspire 
them  with  high  and  noble  aims  both  for  this  life  and 
the  life  to  come. 

By  my  persistent  importunity  I  gained  my  point 
and  the  new  institution  was  called  the  "Industrial 
School  for  Girls''  and,  as  all  know,  the  school  at  Lansing 
for  boys  is  now  named,  according  to  laio,  the  "State 
Industrial  School  for  Boys". 

About  two  years  ago  Mrs.  E.  N.  Law,  one  of  the 
National  lecturers  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  held  meetings 
with  the  girls  in  the  Home  at  Adrian,  and  as  a  result 
of  her  work  a  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  of  over  two  hundred  members  was  organized,  all 
signing  the  pledge  and  wearing  the  white  ribbon.  These 
girls  by  a  large  majority  vote  named  their  Union  the 
"L.  S.  Haviland  Union."  I  am  told  that  tney  carry 
on  their  meetings  very  intelligently,  selecting  their 
leaders  from  among  their  own  number  and  taking  up 


612  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

different  subjects  for  study  and  discussion.  One  of 
these  topics  was,  '  'What  effect  have  alcoholic  drinks 
upon  the  intellect?"  I  am  proud  of  my  namesake 
and  meet  with  these  dear  girls  whenever  I  am 
within  reach  of  them.  When  I  was  there  last 
summer  about  one  hundred  girls  were  out  at  service 
and  "Honor  Cottage"  was  well  filled  with  good  trusty 
girls.  The  following  letter  from  the  Superintendent 
will  give  my  readers  some  idea  of  the  great  work 
accomplished  by  this  institution  and  the  prosperity  of 
Haviland  Union.  As  soon  as  this  fifth  edition  of  "A 
Woman's  Life  Work"  is  ready  for  sale  I  intend  pre- 
senting this  Union  with  one  dozen  copies.  And  to  all 
of  these  dear  girls  who  are  endeavoring  to  make  of 
themselves  good  women  I  say — following  the  example 
of  our  Lord  and  Savior — "Neither  do  I  condemn  thee; 
go  and  sin  no  more." 

Laura  S.  Haviland. 


Adrian,  Mich.,  April  27,  1897. 

Dear  Mrs.  Haviland: — 

In  various  ways  I  have  been 

prevented  from  giving  you  the  information  you  desired 
regarding  the  L.  S.  Haviland  Y.  W.  C.  T.  U. 

The  charter  members,  as  they  might  be  called, 
numbered  two  hundred  and  seventy-one.  The  number 
on  the  grounds  March  1st,  two  hundred  and  fifty -two. 
and  the  number  who  have  signed  the  pledge  since  the 
Union  was  organized  is  three  hundred  and  ten.  In 
each  cottage  there  is  a  vice  president,  chosen  by  the 
girls,  who  has  charge  of  the  work  in  that  cottage.  In 
most  of  the  cottages  they  have  a  monthly  meeting  on 
Sunday  evening,  and  in  Central  cottage  a  meeting  on 
the  last  Friday  evening  of  the  month.  In  some  of  the 


INDUSTRIAL  SCHOOL,  FOR   GIRLS.  613 

cottages  they  had  special  exercises  on  Neal  Dow's  birth- 
day, which  were  very  interesting  and  instructive.  As 
you  know,  our  members  have  no  money  with  which  to 
pay  dues,  therefore  several  of  the  officers  pay  the  requi- 
site forty  cents,  some  becoming  members  and  others 
making  a  girl  in  whom  she  is  particularly  interested  a 
paying  member.  The  first  year  there  were  ten,  this 
year  fifteen. 

Several  members  have  been  discharged  and  others 
are  out  on  contract  which  accounts  for  there  being 
fewer  on  the  grounds  than  a  year  ago,  the  new  girls 
not  wishing  to  join  at  first.  They  have  to  be  educated 
up  to  that  point. 

So  far  as  we  know,  all  are  true  to  their  pledge  and 
those  in  homes  often  write  of  attentions  received  from 
members  of  sister  Unions.  We  often  tell  the  girls  if 
they  need  assistance  when  away  from  here  to  go  to 
these  good  friends  who  will  prove  friends  in  need. 

Since  the  institution  was  opened  there  have  been 
Received,  ...  .  .1192 

Returned  as  unfit  subjects,         .         .  75 

Discharged  at  expiration  of  time, 

Discharged  for  good  behavior,         .         .  367 

Discharged  for  various  reasons,    .     .  243 

Died,        ....  12 

Contracted,        .        , 
Away  by  Leave  of  Absence,  7 

With  the  exception  of  four,  those  out  on  Contract 
are  doing  well. 
In  the  Home  at  present, 

Contracted  and  away  by  Leave  of  Absence,  _105 

Making  the  number  under  care  of  the  Home  406 

Our  Board  of  Guardians  consists  of  one  woman  and 
two  men.  The  entire  care  of  the  girls  is  conducted  by 


614  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

two  conscientious  Christian  women.  We  have  no 
guards,  but  one  night  watch.  Of  course  the  farmer  and 
his  helpers,  the  engineer,  firemen  and  driver  are  men. 
I  wish  you  much  success  in  your  undertaking  and 
may  your  life  and  health  be  spared  to  complete  this 
work  and  much  more;  and  when  the  dear  Father  shall 
say  "Come  up  higher"  may  your  mantle  fall  on  the 
members  of  the  L.  S.  Haviland  Y.  W.  C.  T.  U.  of  the 
State  Industrial  Home  for  Girls. 
With  best  wishes, 

Lucy  M.  Sickels,  Superintendent. 


M 


CONCERNING   HAVILAND  ACADEMY  615 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
CONCERNING  HAVILAND  ACADEMY. 

A  few  years  since  I  was  surprised  to  learn  that  a 
town  in  Kiowa  County,  Kansas  and  the  Friends  Academy 
located  at  that  place  had  been  named  "Haviland"  in 
honor  of  my  life  and  work,  also  that  Local,  Monthly  and 
Quarterly  Meetings  of  Friends  in  the  same  state  bore 
my  name.  I  was  naturally  interested  in  these  institu- 
tions and  the  following  selections  from  letters  written 
either  to  myself  or  my  publisher,  Bro.  S.  B.  Shaw,  may 
be  of  interest  to  readers  who  have  followed  thus  far  this 
story  of  my  life. 

Haviland,  Kansas,  July  27,  1897 
S.  B.  Shaw, 

Dear  Friend: 

Yours  received  yesterday. 

The  town  was  established  early  in  the  spring  of  1886 
and  took  the  name  of  Haviland  about  October  1,  of  that 
year.  The  name  was  chosen  in  honor  of  Laura  S.  Hav- 
iland. Harvey  Hunt,  of  Iowa,  was  the  one  that  suggest- 
ed the  name,  on  account  of  her  pure,  chaste  life  and 
her  noble  work  in  uplifting  humanity.  Mr.  Hunt  had 
read  her  book  and  was  captivated  with  it,  as  were  some 
others  who  had  read  it. 

The  Friends  Meeting  that  was  established  here  was 
called  Liberty  Meeting  at  first,  but  when  the  town  took 
the  name  of  Haviland  the  Meeting  was  changed  to  Havi- 
land for  the  same  reasons.  All  thought  such  a  pure  life 
as  hers  would  do  to  follow.  Then  when  Monthly  was  es- 

41 


616  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

tablisbed  it  was  called  Haviland  Monthly  Meeting.  A 
little  later  Kansas  Yearly  Meeting  granted  Haviland 
Monthly  Meeting  and  Pleasant  Plain  Monthly  Meeting 
the  privilege  of  holding  a  Quarterly  Meeting  and  it  took 
the  name  of  Haviland  Quarterly  Meeting  for  the  same 
reasons  stated  above.  Haviland  Quarterly  at  present 
is  composed  of  eight  Monthly  Meetings  scattered  over  a 
territory  about  equal  to  that  of  the  state  of  Massachu- 
setts. We  are  by  no  means  ashamed  of  our  Quarterly 
Meeting  or  our  name.  As  a  rule,  Haviland  Quarterly 
takes  the  lead  in  our  Annual  Yearly  Meeting  or  at  least 
is  in  the  front  with  the  best  of  them. 

When  our  Academy  was  established  in  October  31, 
1892,  the  name  was  as  precious  as  ever  and  seemed  to 
be  more  appropriate  than  before.  So  far  it  has  been 
a  success.  We  are  proud  of  our  Academy  and  of  our 

name  -  Haviland. 

Respectfully  Yours, 

Mattie  M.  Woodard. 


Haviland,  Kansas,  Dec.  17,  1896. 

Laura  S.  Haviland. 

Dear  Friend  :- 

I  will  just  write  a  few  lines  on  behalf  of  our  board 
of  Trustees  of  our  Academy  acknowledging  the  recep- 
tion of  thy  donation  of  books.  We  are  indeed  thank- 
ful not  only  for  the  books,  but  for  thy  deep  interest 
in  our  school  and  community  and  for  the  picture  which 
we -have  long  coveted.  We  will  get  it  enlarged  to  grace 
the  walls  of  our  Academy.  May  the  dear  Master  still 
bless  thy  work,  and  give  thee  a  green  old  age. 

By  order  of  the  board  of   trustees. 
Isaac  A.  Woodard, 

President. 


CONCERNING  HAVILAND   ACADEMY.  617 

Haviland,  Kansas,  Dec.  17,  1896. 

Laura  S.  Haviland. 
Dear  Friend:- 

We,  the  students  and  teachers  of 
Haviland  Academy,  wish  by  this  means  to  express  in  a 
measure,  our  sincere  thanks  and  appreciation  for  the 
tokens  of  kindness  just  received  from  thee.  Especially 
are  we  interested  in  the  volumes  which  to  us  are  many 
times  more  valuable  because  of  thy  own  production. 
Much  interest  will  be  taken  in  the  perusal  of  their  pages 
and  I  am  sure  the  same  principle  that  has  so  filled 
and  inspired  the  author  cannot  fail  to  find  a  lodgment 
in  many  young  hearts.  How  thankful  we  are  that  we 
have  those  before  us  whose  lives  are  worthy  to  be  re- 
produced in  our  own  lives.  We  hope  and  pray  that 
our  institution  may  continue  as  a  blessing  to  the  com- 
munity and  the  world,  that  it  may  ever  be  worthy  of 
the  name  it  bears.  How  good  the  dear  Lord  has  been 
to  thee,  that  he  has  crowned  thy  years  with  success 
and  His  own  loving  kindness.  May  the  life  which  He 
has  thus  so  richly  blessed,  and  which  has  been  such 
a  wonderful  blessing  to  mankind,  continue  to  live  in 
the  lives  of  those  whom  thy  life  has  touched.  God  in 
his  gracious  love  has  brought  thee  to  a  good  old  age 
and  now  as  thou  art  approaching  thy  eighty-eighth 
birthday  may  His  presence  and  blessing  be  especially 
manifested  unto  thee.  May  He  who  has  been  thy 
strong  tower  through  so  many  years  of  toil,  still  com- 
fort thy  declining  years  with  the  joyous  fullness  of  His 
own  blessed  self.  We  shall  ever  remember  thee  as 
one  who  has  lived  this  life  well,  and  as  one  of  the 
signal  lights  along  the  pathway  of  time.  Remember 
us  in  prayer  that  we  may  fill  up  the  measure  of  our 


618  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

calling  and  in  the  glorious  kingdom  of  our  Lord  in 
heaven,  meet  thee  and  all  the  ransomed  ones  of  His 
fold.  May  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
abide  with  thee  ever. 

Very  truly  thy  friends.     On  behalf  of  the  students 
and  teachers  of  Haviland   Academy, 

H.  D.  Crumly,  Principal. 

Olive  Polger,  Assistant. 


Haviland,  Kansas,  April  4,  1897. 

Laura  S.  Haviland, 

Dear  Mother  in  the  Church  of  Christ:— 

It  was  with  pleasure  that  we  learned  of  thy  pur- 
pose to  publish  another  edition  of  thy  book  entitled,  "A 
Woman's  Life  Work."  Unitedly  we  waft  a  prayer 
heavenward  in  its  behalf.  We  believe  it  will  be  the 
means  in  God's  hands  of  bringing  light  to  many  dark- 
ened hearts  and  homes.  We  pray  that  it  may  reach 
the  youth  of  our  land,  and  bring  them  to  see  the  neces 
sity  of  uncompromising  opposition  to  the  gigantic  social 
evils. 

We  will  certainly  hail  with  delight  the  day  when 
the  wishes  and  judgments  of  the  pure  Christian  mothers 
who  are  the  charm  and  delight  of  our  American  homes, 
will  be  considered  of  as  much  weight  in  our  moral  gov- 
ernment as  the  voice  of  the  demon- possessed  man  who 
pledges  himself  to  destroy  not  only  the  home  and  its 
joys  but  also  its  jewels  themselves.  But  while  the 
doors  of  the  political  world  may  seem  to  be  closed 
against  them  may  they  never  be  forgetful  of  the  many 
open  doors,  the  golden  opportunities,  in  the  home,  the 
church  and  nation.  If  the  world  could  only  be  brought 
to  recognize  the  value  and  power  of  the  Christian 


CONCERNING   HAVILAND  ACADEMY.  619 

mother,  soon  might  their  leavening  influence  drive  much 
of  the  crime  and  misery  from  our  land.  Or  if  the 
church,  true  to  the  leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  would 
occupy  the  ground  already  offered,  God  would  use  her 
more  powerfully  in  applying  the  healing  balm  to  the 
Nation.  The  awful  curse  of  slavery  flourished  for 
many  years  and  was  only  uprooted  by  the  bloody  death- 
grapple  of  the  rebellion.  We  are  accustomed  to  think 
of  slavery  as  a  thing  of  the  past.  But  all  around  us  we 
see  slavery  just  as  real.  We  shudder  at  the  heartless- 
ness  of  the  cruel  slave  master  of  the  south,  yet  the 
monster  demon  of  intemperance  and  other  social  vices 
stalk  boldly  through  our  fair  land,  welding  upon  the 
members  of  our  nation  the  clanking  shackles  of  a 
slavery,  which  is,  if  possible,  much  more  immoral  and 
degrading.  The  cruel  enemy  of  souls  is  always  upon 
the  war-path.  Right  has  no  time  for  sleeping.  Justice 
comes  not  through  the  powers  of  darkness.  "For  the 
righteous  shall  judge  the  world."  Let  us  know  of  no 
such  word  as  fail.  We  are  enlisted  under  the  banner 
of  a  Captain  who  was  never  foiled  in  battle  or  beaten 
in  the  field.  But  we  become  conquerors  only  as  we 
place  ourselves  in  line  of  action,  prepared  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  implicitly  trusting  in  His  leadership.  As  we 
look  back  upon  the  dark  days  of  human  slavery,  we  are 
brought  to  a  sense  of  the  degradation  of  our  race.  For 
many  of  us  were  reared  under  different  influences,  yet 
how  very  humbled  we  should  feel.  For  as  human  be- 
ings born  and  raised  amid  similar  conditions  we  might 
have  been  as  thoroughly  attached  to  the  system  of 
human  slavery  as  our  southern  neighbors.  So  that 
this  great  work  of  reformation  must  be  a  work  of  true 
sympathy  and  love.  The  mother  spirit  should  abound. 
The  mothers,  wives,  sisters  and  daughters  can  do  much 


620  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

in  their  various  stations  to  purify  and  strengthen 
our  voting  population  in  these  lines  of  right  and 
justice.  Everywhere  the  world  is  pining  for  the 
mother  spirit  and  Christian  love.  We  pray  that  as 
this  volume  goes  forth  on  its  mission  of  love,  it 
may  reach  the  thousands  of  homes  where  want  and 
misery  have  done  their  work.  May  it  bring  to  these 
the  needed  light  that  the  downtrodden  and  discouraged 
may  be  enabled  to  arise,  shake  themselves  from  the 
ashes  of  their  destruction,  and  in  newness  of  life,  shine 
for  the  Master.  May  it  encourage  the  redeemed  and 
blood- washed  of  God,  to  seek  the  Holy  Ghost  who  is 
able  to  lead  through  the  greatest  dangers  and  difficul- 
ties, to  certain  victory,  as  He  has  done  for  the  author 
of  this  book.  We  pray  God's  richest  blessing  to  rest 
and  abide  with  thee  ever. 

In  His  dear  name.     On  behalf  of  the  students  and 
teachers  of  Haviland  Academy, 

H.  D.  Crumley,  Principal. 

Olive  Folger,  Assistant. 


TRIP  TO  ENGLAND  AND  OTHER  JOTTINGS.         621 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 
TRIP  To  ENGLAND  AND  OTHER  JOTTINGS. 

As  an  outgrowth  of  the  circulation  of  a  goodly 
number  of  "A  Woman's  Life-work,"  among  Friends  in 
England,  I  received  an  earnest  invitation  from  Stafford 
Allen,  (an  esteemed  Elder  in  Friends  Church)  in 
London,  to  spend  a  few  months  with  them.  Accord- 
ingly, in  April,  1889,  my  daughter,  Myra  H.  Laing,  and 
myself  took  the  ship  Celtic,  of  the  White  Star  Line, 
that  landed  us  at  Liverpool  after  six  day's  sail,  and  we 
soon  met  our  valued  friend,  Stafford  Allen,  in  London, 
who  took  us  to  his  beautiful  Parkfield  home  with  its 
three  acre  garden.  We  attended  London  Yearly  Meet- 
ing where  we  met  many  kindred  spirits.  We  were 
taken  to  many  places  of  historical  interest.  While 
passing  through  the  Tower  of  London,  we  were  shown 
the  brass  plate  two  feet  square  where  stood  the  block 
upon  which  Lady  Jane  Gray,  Lord  Dudley,  Queen 
Mary,  and  other  potentates  were  beheaded.  Our  guide 
told  us  the  block  was  removed  seven  years  before, 
'  'people  becoming  more  civilized  than  to  cut  off  heads. " 
From  there  we  went  to  the  circular  glass  room  contain- 
ing five  crowns  and  with  each  a  golden  scepter. 
Victoria's  was  the  topmost,  with  its  sparkling  gems  of 
various  hues  valued  at  many  thousands  of  dollars.  There 
was  the  whole  paraphernalia  of  the  table-set  of  gold, 
used  only  on  coronations  and  special  occasions  of  the 
royal  family.  In  the  department  of  fire-arms,  was  the 
fac- simile  of  the  wedding  cake  of  the  Prince  of  Wall-- 


622  A   WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

(suspended  over  head)  built  of  small  weapons,  pistols, 
dirks,  bowie-knives,  etc.,  I  should  judge  at  least  four 
feet  across.  Among  the  statuary  were  horses  upon 
which  sat  generals,  protected  by  their  shields  of  various 
devices,  making  charge  in  battle.  In  such  scenes  are 
not  spoken  the  angelic  song!  We  were  taken  to  the 
National  Museum,  also  through  the  Glass  Temple,  and 
Ker  Garden.  Also  saw  the  plain  brick  house  in  which 
Victoria  was  born.  We  went  to  Colchester,  the  oldest 
city  in  the  realm, — anterior  to  London.  We  were  con- 
ducted through  the  Norman  Castle  that  seems  to  have 
been  designed  for  a  fort,  from  the  thick  wall  with  post 
holes  facing  the  river,  as  well  as  a  prison.  We  entered 
the  cell  in  which  Stephen  Darwell  was  confined  for 
many  months  previous  to  his  death.  He  was  the  first 
of  twenty-one  martyrs,  of  the  Friend's  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  who  were  put  to  death  for  so-called  heresy  in 
that  castle.  We  also  went  to  James  Clark's,  of  Street, 
who  took  us  through  what  was  called  the  largest 
castle  in  the  realm.  Many  of  its  parts  had  been  removed 
for  building  purposes  when  a  rich  lord  purchased  it, 
and  forbade  the  removal  of  anything  from  the  premises. 
There  was  an  underground  way  in  which  were  human 
bones,  that  were  taken  out  and  buried.  Also  a  white 
stone  coffin  containing  bones  that  were  also  buried. 
The  open  coffin  was  left  beside  the  wall  of  the  spacious 
edifice,  and  in  it  was  a  sheep  enjoying  its  cool  retreat, 
until  I  approached,  when  it  left  to  join  its  companions 
on  the  lawn,  held  by  the  ancient  inmates,  (the  priests)  as 
the  most  sacred  of  all  places.  These  priests  assumed  the 
prerogative  of  signing  death  warrants  for  every  heretic 
brought  before  them,  and  had  them  hung  in  their  sight 
on  Tor  Hill,  until  a  king  arose  who  ignored  their  author- 
ity, and  passed  a  decree  that  all  those  priests  should 


TRIP  TO   ENGLAND   AND   OTHER  JOTTINGS.         623 

be  themselves  hung  on  the  same  hill.  And  the  last 
one  hung  was  ordered  quartered  and  the  four  parts 
thrown  to  the  four  points  of  the  compass  to  be  devoured 
by  wild  beasts  of  the  forest. 

But  space  fails  to  itemize  farther,  suffice  it  to  say, 
our  five  months  spent  in  England  is,  and  ever  will  be 
highly  appreciated,  although  the  trip  was  taken  after 
passing  my  eightieth  year. 

November  1,  1892,  I  left  my  Chicago  home  to  visit 
my  brother,  Otis  Smith  and  wife,  of  Cottonwood,  Shasta 
Co.,  California,  in  company  with  his  physician.  With 
him  I  spent  five  months.  My.  severe  cough  melted 
away  in  that  mild  climate.  The  scenery  in  crossing 
the  mountains  was  inspiring — the  magnificent  columns, 
like  church  spires,  colleges,  and  towns  with  mag- 
nificent residences.  The  rocks  seemed  to  outvie  iu 
grandeur,  if  possible,  the  waters  of  Niagara. 

During  the  following  July  a  letter  came  from  my 
daughter,  Myra  L.  Blancher,  that  a  counsel  of  physi- 
cians had  given  their  united  judgment  that  her  husband, 
Sala  Blancher,  could  survive  but  a  few  days  and 
that  he  said  he  had  hoped  to  live  to  see  mother  once 
more,  but  should  not.  This  proved  true.  I  took  the 
first  through  train  July  8,  1893,  Wednesday,  6:30  P.  M. 
and  arrived  at  Chicago  the  following  Sabbath,  9:30 
A.  M.,  to  learn  that  my  son-in-law's  funeral  services 
occurred  the  day  previous.  Two  days  later  took  2:15 
train  at  Chicago  and  reached  my  sorrowing  daughter's 
home,  Athens,  Leeds  Co.,  Ontario,  seven  hundred 
miles  distant,  just  one  week  after  leaving  San  Fran- 
cisco, California.  This  dear,  bereaved  daughter  was  the 
second  time  a  widow!  We  have  the  assurance  that  IM-/ 
husband  was  prepared  to  hear  the  glorious  welcome: 
« 'Enter  into  the  joys  of  thy  Lord." 


624  A  WOMAN'S  LIFE-WORK. 

September  15,  I  received  intelligence  that  my  in- 
valid brother  Otis  and  wife  were  on  their  way  to  my 
brother  Rev.  Samuel  B.  Smith's  home  in  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich.  I  took  an  excursion  train  for  Grand  Rapids  and 
met  both  brothers'  families  together  for  the  first  time 
in  many  years.  Brother  Otis  was  a  great  sufferer  from 
disease  contracted  in  the  army  and  sister  Laura  J., 
brother  Samuel's  wife,  was  in  the  last  stages  of  con- 
sumption. She  remained  with  us  until  the  following 
June,  when  she  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  My 
daughter  Myra  followed  me  to  this  house  only  two 
weeks  later,  and  was  much  needed,  as  an  experienced 
nurse,  in  caring  for  dear  sister  Laura  J.  until  she  left  us. 

Brother  Otis  and  wife  returned  to  their  California 
home;  but  a  few  weeks  later  he,  too,  passed  from  scenes 
of  earth  to  the  home  not  made  with  hands  eternal  in 
the  heavens.  We  say  of  these  loved  ones,  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth; 
yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors;  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 


TRIP  TO  ENGLAND   AND  OTHER  JOTTINGS.         625 


TO  "AUNT    LAURA." 

"Mother  of  Philanthropy,"  *  of  our  own  fair  State, 

All  Michigan  gives*  honor  to  thy  name! 

Thy  work  began  when  Statehood  first  was  ours— 

Those  gathered  orphans  in  that  early  Home 

Were  embryonic,  buds  of  promise— early  flowers 

Of  that  great  charity  whose  worth  and  fame 

Has  spread  among  the  nations  and  become 

A  model  for  the  Commonwealths.    Leisure  nor  rest 

Was  thine,  until  the  burning  wish  was  grafted  into  law— 

And  the  clustered  buildings  on  the  ample  field, 

Our  own  State  Public  School,  attest  the  wisdom  of  thy  ZI-M 

For  thy  long  and  earnest  work,  our  hearts  true  homa«e  yu-lcl. 


The  slave  from  Southern  bondage  found  a  friend 
Who  baffled  all  pursuit  of  hounds  or  men; 
And  not  one  fugitive  was  ever  backward  ta'en 
From  our  loved  State,  to  slavery's  curse  again. 
And  when  the  war  for  union  shook  the  land, 
Thine  was  the  lifted  voice  for  aid,  the  helping  hand. 
Where  wounds  were  thickest,  there  thy  duty  led 
And  our  generous  people's  contributions  spread 
Among  the  needy,  suffering  ones— those  brave  boys  - 
Who  called  thee  mother  from  their  cots  of  pain. 
Taking  new  courage  from  thy  cheerful  words. 
Or  whispered  dying  message  when  all  hope  was  vain. 

The  joyful  days  of  peace  and  ITreedom's  Jubtlee 
Did  not  retire  thee  from  the  hard-fought  field, 
Content  that  cherished  hopes  were  well  fulfilled. 
But  ever  working  for  humanity's  uplift— to  shield 
The  weak  from  grasping  power  and  help  to  build, 
On  better  lines  of  human  needs,  the  great 
And  growing  structures  of  Nation  and  of  State. 
May  thy  four  score  years  and  nine,  weigh  lightly 
On  the  bending  form,  and  many  more  be  thine— 
Thy  "Life  Work"  never  ending,  still  extending. 
Blend  with  Heavenly  visions  in  their  sweet  combine. 

Charles  S.  Brownell. 

*A  name  given  her  by  Pres.  Palmer,  Michigan  Hay  at  ih«-  WorMS   F;iir. 
when  introducing  her. 


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